Canada’s holiday system is a patchwork of federal and provincial rules, and employers operating across provinces need to understand what varies. In 2026, federal statutory holidays set the baseline, but each province and territory adds its own holidays — some unique to that region.
This guide maps the provincial differences so you can build accurate holiday calendars for your multi-province workforce.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Federal statutory holidays set a baseline of 10 holidays for federally regulated employers
- Each province adds 0-4 additional holidays beyond the federal list
- Some provinces observe holidays that no other province does (e.g., Terry Fox Day in Manitoba)
- Substitution day rules vary by province when holidays fall on weekends
- Multi-province employers need location-specific holiday calendars
Federal Statutory Holidays 2026
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Victoria Day | 18 May | Monday |
| Canada Day | 1 July | Wednesday |
| Labour Day | 7 September | Monday |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | 30 September | Tuesday |
| Thanksgiving Day | 12 October | Monday |
| Remembrance Day | 11 November | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday |
Provincial Holiday Comparison
British Columbia
10 statutory holidays including:
- Family Day (3rd Monday in February — 16 February 2026)
- BC Day (1st Monday in August — 3 August 2026)
- Does not observe Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday
Alberta
10 statutory holidays including:
- Family Day (3rd Monday in February — 16 February 2026)
- Heritage Day (1st Monday in August — 3 August 2026)
- Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday
Saskatchewan
10 statutory holidays including:
- Family Day (3rd Monday in February — 16 February 2026)
- Saskatchewan Day (1st Monday in August — 3 August 2026)
- Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday
Manitoba
9 statutory holidays including:
- Louis Riel Day (3rd Monday in February — 16 February 2026)
- Terry Fox Day (1st Monday in August — 3 August 2026)
- No Boxing Day as a statutory holiday
Ontario
9 statutory holidays including:
- Family Day (3rd Monday in February — 16 February 2026)
- No Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday (but some employers observe it)
- Boxing Day is a statutory holiday
Quebec
8 statutory holidays including:
- National Patriots’ Day (Monday before 25 May — 25 May 2026)
- Quebec’s National Day / Fête Nationale (24 June — Wednesday)
- No Remembrance Day, no Boxing Day as statutory holidays
New Brunswick
9 statutory holidays including:
- No Family Day
- Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday
- No additional provincial holidays beyond federal list
Nova Scotia
6 statutory holidays (lowest in Canada):
- No Family Day, no Victoria Day, no Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday
- Includes the provincial holiday in August
Prince Edward Island
7 statutory holidays including:
- Islander Day (3rd Monday in February — 16 February 2026)
- No additional holidays beyond federal list
Newfoundland and Labrador
10 statutory holidays including:
- St. Patrick’s Day (17 March — Tuesday)
- Discovery Day (nearest Monday to 24 June — 22 June 2026)
- Orangemen’s Day (12 July — Monday)
Yukon
10 statutory holidays including:
- Discovery Day (1st Monday in August — 3 August 2026)
- Does not observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Northwest Territories
10 statutory holidays including:
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- No additional territorial holidays
Nunavut
10 statutory holidays including:
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Nunavut Day (9 July — Thursday)
Substitution Day Rules
When a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, substitution rules vary:
| Province | Saturday Holiday → | Sunday Holiday → |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| Alberta | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| Saskatchewan | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| Manitoba | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| Ontario | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| Quebec | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| New Brunswick | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| Nova Scotia | Check legislation | Check legislation |
| PEI | Following Monday | Following Monday |
In 2026, Boxing Day (26 December, Saturday) triggers substitution in most provinces — typically observed on Monday 28 December.
How Provincial Holidays Affect Pay
The Average Daily Wage Method
All provinces calculate statutory holiday pay using a similar formula:
Holiday pay = Total wages in the 4 weeks before the holiday / 20
This applies to all eligible employees, whether they work on the holiday or not.
Working on a Statutory Holiday
If an employee works on a statutory holiday, they receive:
- Statutory holiday pay (calculated above)
- Plus their regular wages for hours worked, OR
- Plus time-and-a-half for hours worked
The specific additional pay varies by province.
Common Multi-Province Challenges
1. Different Holiday Calendars
An employee in Ontario has a different holiday calendar than one in Nova Scotia. Your payroll system must account for provincial differences.
2. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This holiday (30 September) is federally regulated and observed in some provinces but not others. Check your province’s legislation.
3. Family Day Variations
Family Day is observed in most western provinces and Ontario, but on different dates. It is not observed in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, or the territories.
4. Holiday Pay Calculations
The “total wages in 4 weeks” calculation varies slightly by province. Use payroll software that supports multi-province calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which province has the fewest statutory holidays?
Nova Scotia has the fewest at 6 statutory holidays per year.
Which province has the most?
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador each observe 10 statutory holidays — the most in Canada.
Is Family Day a federal holiday?
No. Family Day is a provincial holiday observed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and PEI — each on their own date.
Do all provinces observe Thanksgiving?
No. Quebec does not observe Thanksgiving as a statutory holiday. Some Quebec employers grant it as a company holiday.
What about provincial employee benefits beyond holidays?
Each province has additional employment standards requirements that go beyond holidays, including vacation entitlements, overtime rules, and leave provisions. Consult your province’s employment standards legislation.