Canada’s federal holiday calendar includes just 5 nationally mandated holidays, but each province and territory adds its own, bringing the total to 9–13 days depending on where you operate. For employers managing teams across Canadian provinces, the differences between Alberta and Ontario, or British Columbia and Quebec, can mean missed holidays and payroll errors.
This guide maps the provincial variations for 2026 so you can keep your team compliant and happy, no matter which province they call home.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organization.
Key Takeaways
- Canada has 5 federal holidays, but provinces add 4–8 more
- Family Day, Civic Holiday, and Terry Fox Day vary by province
- Quebec has unique holidays like National Patriot’s Day and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
- Some provinces give employers flexibility in substituting holidays
- Remote workers are entitled to the holidays of their province
Federal Holidays (All Provinces)
These holidays are observed by federal employees and most private employers across all provinces:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday |
| Victoria Day | 18 May | Monday |
| Canada Day | 1 July | Wednesday |
| Labour Day | 7 September | Monday |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | 30 September | Wednesday |
| Thanksgiving | 12 October | Monday |
| Remembrance Day | 11 November | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: Not all federal holidays are statutory holidays in every province. Remembrance Day, for instance, is not a statutory holiday in most provinces (it is in Manitoba and some others).
Provincial Holiday Variations
Family Day: Different Dates Across Canada
Family Day is the most visible provincial variation. Several provinces observe it, but on different dates:
| Province | Family Day Date |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
| British Columbia | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
| Manitoba | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
| Ontario | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
| Saskatchewan | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
| New Brunswick | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
| Nova Scotia | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
| PEI | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Third Monday in February (16 Feb 2026) |
In 2026, all provinces that observe Family Day do so on the same date. However, this isn’t always the case — some provinces have shifted dates in the past.
Civic Holiday (First Monday in August)
The Civic Holiday is a municipal/provincial holiday that varies widely:
| Province | Status |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Civic Holiday — not a statutory holiday; employer discretion |
| Alberta | Heritage Day — statutory holiday |
| British Columbia | BC Day — statutory holiday |
| Manitoba | Terry Fox Day — statutory holiday |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Day — statutory holiday |
| New Brunswick | New Brunswick Day — statutory holiday |
| Nova Scotia | Natal Day — statutory holiday |
| PEI | PEI Heritage Day — statutory holiday |
| Quebec | Not observed |
| Newfoundland | Regatta Day (in St. John’s) — varies |
The inconsistency here is significant. An employer in Ontario has no obligation to give the Civic Holiday off, while an employer in Alberta must observe Heritage Day.
Quebec: Unique Holidays
Quebec operates on a distinct holiday calendar:
| Holiday | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Patriots’ Day | Monday before May 25 | Quebec-specific |
| Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day | 24 June | Quebec only |
| Christmas Eve (Dec 24) | 24 December | Optional for employers |
Quebec’s National Patriots’ Day replaces Victoria Day for provincial government employees. Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is a major cultural holiday in Quebec but not observed elsewhere.
Remembrance Day: Province-Specific
Remembrance Day (11 November) is a federal holiday but not a statutory holiday in most provinces:
| Province | Statutory Holiday? |
|---|---|
| Manitoba | Yes |
| Saskatchewan | Yes |
| Prince Edward Island | Yes |
| Nova Scotia | Yes (since 2018) |
| Ontario | No |
| Alberta | No |
| British Columbia | No |
| Quebec | No |
| New Brunswick | No |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | No |
This means an employee in Manitoba gets Remembrance Day off with pay, while an employee in Ontario does not — even though both work for the same company.
Heritage and Cultural Days
| Holiday | Province | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Islander Day | PEI | Third Monday in February |
| Louis Riel Day | Manitoba | Third Monday in February |
| Newfoundland Day | Newfoundland | Last Monday in August |
| Gabriel Dumont Day | Saskatchewan | February (varies) |
2026 Provincial Holiday Calendar at a Glance
| Holiday | BC | AB | SK | MB | ON | QC | NB | NS | PEI | NL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Family Day | 16 Feb | 16 Feb | 16 Feb | 16 Feb | 16 Feb | — | 16 Feb | 16 Feb | 16 Feb | 16 Feb |
| Good Friday | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Victoria Day | 18 May | 18 May | 18 May | 18 May | 18 May | — | 18 May | 18 May | 18 May | 18 May |
| Canada Day | 1 Jul | 1 Jul | 1 Jul | 1 Jul | 1 Jul | 1 Jul | 1 Jul | 1 Jul | 1 Jul | 1 Jul |
| Civic Day | BC Day | Heritage Day | SK Day | Terry Fox Day | Civic Holiday | — | NB Day | Natal Day | Heritage Day | Regatta Day |
| Labour Day | 7 Sep | 7 Sep | 7 Sep | 7 Sep | 7 Sep | 7 Sep | 7 Sep | 7 Sep | 7 Sep | 7 Sep |
| Truth & Reconciliation | 30 Sep | 30 Sep | 30 Sep | 30 Sep | 30 Sep | — | 30 Sep | 30 Sep | — | 30 Sep |
| Thanksgiving | 12 Oct | 12 Oct | 12 Oct | 12 Oct | 12 Oct | 12 Oct | 12 Oct | 12 Oct | 12 Oct | 12 Oct |
| Remembrance Day | — | — | 11 Nov | 11 Nov | — | — | — | 11 Nov | 11 Nov | — |
| Christmas | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | 25 Dec |
| Boxing Day | 26 Dec | 26 Dec | 26 Dec | 26 Dec | 26 Dec | — | 26 Dec | 26 Dec | 26 Dec | 26 Dec |
Substitution Rules
Canadian provinces have different rules about substituting holidays that fall on weekends:
- Ontario: If a statutory holiday falls on a Sunday, the next Monday is the holiday
- Alberta: Employers and employees can agree to substitute a different day
- British Columbia: The holiday can be moved by agreement
- Quebec: No automatic substitution — the holiday falls on the exact date
These substitution rules mean the same calendar date can mean different things in different provinces.
What This Means for Employers
Maintain Per-Province Calendars
A single national calendar isn’t sufficient. Map each employee to their province’s statutory holidays and track them separately.
Document Substitution Policies
If your company allows holiday substitution (moving a weekend holiday to a Monday), document the policy clearly. Apply it consistently across provinces.
Account for Remote Workers
An employee working remotely from British Columbia is entitled to BC Day, even if your office is in Ontario. The province where the employee physically works determines their holiday entitlements.
Watch for Legislative Changes
Provinces add and modify holidays. Nova Scotia added Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday in 2018. Other provinces have proposed changes. Review your calendar annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every province observe the same number of holidays?
No. Quebec observes fewer statutory holidays than most provinces (no Family Day, no Civic Holiday, no Boxing Day as statutory). Alberta and BC observe more. The difference can be 3–4 days.
Are federal employees entitled to all federal holidays?
Federal employees are entitled to all 11 federal holidays as paid days off. Private sector employees in a province are entitled only to that province’s statutory holidays.
Can an employer in Ontario require work on Civic Holiday?
Yes. Civic Holiday is not a statutory holiday in Ontario. Employers can require work without premium pay. However, most employers give the day off as a benefit.
Do I have to observe holidays for employees working remotely from another province?
Yes. The province where the employee physically works determines their statutory holiday entitlements. An Ontario company with a remote worker in BC must observe BC’s holidays for that employee.
How do I handle employees in Quebec vs. other provinces?
Maintain separate calendars. Quebec employees get Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and National Patriots’ Day instead of Victoria Day. They don’t get Boxing Day as a statutory holiday. Track each province separately.