Statutory holiday pay in Canada is calculated differently depending on the province. Unlike the UK or Australia, Canada has a standardised formula for most provinces: total wages earned in the preceding 4 weeks divided by 20. However, some provinces have their own variations.
This guide explains the statutory holiday pay calculation for each province, covers the rules for employees who work on stat holidays, and helps you stay compliant with provincial employment standards.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Most Canadian provinces use the “4-week average” formula for stat holiday pay
- Employees who don’t work receive the calculated stat pay
- Employees who work receive stat pay PLUS their regular wages for hours worked
- Each province sets its own list of statutory holidays
- Federal employees follow the Canada Labour Code
The Standard Formula
The most common statutory holiday pay formula (used in Ontario, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and others):
Statutory holiday pay = Total wages earned in the 4 calendar weeks before the holiday ÷ 20
What’s Included in “Wages”
- Regular earnings
- Vacation pay paid on each cheque
- Commissions
- Non-cash taxable benefits
What’s Excluded
- Overtime pay
- Termination pay
- Bonuses that are not regular earnings
Example
Employee earned $5,000 in the 4 weeks before the stat holiday Stat holiday pay: $5,000 ÷ 20 = $250
Statutory Holidays by Province
| Province | # of Stat Holidays | Key Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | 10 | New Year’s, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas |
| Ontario | 9 | New Year’s, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Boxing Day |
| British Columbia | 10 | New Year’s, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, British Columbia Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas |
| Alberta | 9 | New Year’s, Alberta Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas |
| Quebec | 8 | New Year’s, Good Friday, National Patriots’ Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Boxing Day |
| Saskatchewan | 10 | New Year’s, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Saskatchewan Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Boxing Day |
| Manitoba | 9 | New Year’s, Louis Riel Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas |
| Nova Scotia | 6 | New Year’s, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas, Boxing Day |
| New Brunswick | 8 | New Year’s, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Boxing Day |
| PEI | 8 | New Year’s, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Boxing Day |
| Newfoundland | 8 | New Year’s, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Boxing Day |
Province-Specific Calculation Rules
Ontario
Formula: Wages in 4 weeks ÷ 20
- If employee doesn’t work, they receive stat pay
- If employee works, they receive stat pay + wages for hours worked
- Public holiday pay + premium pay for hours worked
British Columbia
Formula: Total wages ÷ 20
- Same standard formula
- Employees who work receive stat pay + wages for hours worked
- Premium pay: 1.5× regular wages for hours worked
Alberta
Formula: Total wages ÷ 20
- Same standard formula
- Employees who work receive stat pay + wages for hours worked
- General holiday pay applies to all employees
Quebec
Formula: Total wages ÷ 20
- Same standard formula
- Employees who work receive stat pay + wages for hours worked
Saskatchewan
Formula: Total wages ÷ 20
- Same standard formula
- Employees who work receive stat pay + wages for hours worked
Manitoba
Formula: Total wages ÷ 20
- Same standard formula
- Employees who work receive stat pay + wages for hours worked
Employee Eligibility
Regular Employees
Employees who are regularly scheduled to work on the day of the stat holiday are entitled to stat holiday pay.
Irregular Employees
Employees with irregular schedules are entitled to stat holiday pay if they have worked at least 15 of the 30 calendar days before the holiday.
New Employees
New employees are still entitled to stat holiday pay based on the wages they earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday, even if they haven’t been employed for a full 4 weeks.
Part-Time Employees
Part-time employees are entitled to stat holiday pay calculated using the same formula. The 4-week average accounts for their irregular hours.
What Happens When an Employee Works
When an employee works on a statutory holiday, they receive:
- Statutory holiday pay (calculated using the formula)
- PLUS their regular wages for the hours they work
Example: Employee earns $5,000 in 4 weeks, works 8 hours on the stat holiday at $30/hour
- Stat holiday pay: $5,000 ÷ 20 = $250
- Wages for 8 hours: 8 × $30 = $240
- Total: $250 + $240 = $490
In most provinces, the employee receives both amounts.
Common Mistakes
Using the Wrong Formula
Some employers pay a flat rate or use the wrong divisor. The standard formula is wages ÷ 20 — use it.
Not Including Vacation Pay
Vacation pay paid on each paycheque must be included in the “wages” calculation. Excluding it undercalculates the stat holiday pay.
Only Paying the Stat Pay When Employee Works
When an employee works on a stat holiday, they receive both the stat pay and their regular wages. Paying only one is a breach.
Not Tracking the 4-Week Period
You need the employee’s earnings from the 4 calendar weeks before the stat holiday. If you don’t track this, you can’t calculate correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is statutory holiday pay calculated in Canada?
Most provinces use the formula: total wages in the 4 calendar weeks before the holiday ÷ 20. This gives the employee’s daily stat holiday pay.
Do employees get paid for stat holidays they don’t work?
Yes. If the employee is eligible (worked at least 15 of 30 days, or is regularly scheduled), they receive stat holiday pay even if they don’t work.
What if a stat holiday falls on a day the employee doesn’t work?
If the stat holiday falls on the employee’s regular day off, they are still entitled to stat holiday pay in most provinces.
Are part-time workers entitled to stat holiday pay?
Yes. Part-time workers receive stat holiday pay calculated using the same formula. Their 4-week average accounts for their part-time hours.
Can an employer require employees to work on a stat holiday?
Yes, but the employee is entitled to stat holiday pay plus their regular wages for hours worked. In some provinces, the employee can refuse.