Canada’s public holiday system combines federal statutory holidays with province-specific holidays, creating a complex patchwork of entitlements. In 2027, federally regulated employers observe 10 statutory holidays, while provincial employers observe between 9 and 12 depending on their province or territory.
Managing statutory holidays across multiple Canadian provinces requires careful planning. This guide covers the federal holidays, provincial variations, pay rules, and substitution day obligations.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Canada observes 10 federal statutory holidays in 2027
- Each province and territory adds additional holidays beyond the federal list
- When a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, substitution day rules apply
- Employees are entitled to holiday pay even if they don’t work on the holiday
- Pay is calculated using the “average daily wage” method across most provinces
Federal Statutory Holidays 2027
These holidays apply to all federally regulated employers (banks, telecommunications, interprovincial transport, etc.):
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Friday |
| Good Friday | 26 March | Friday |
| Victoria Day | 24 May | Monday |
| Canada Day | 1 July | Wednesday |
| Labour Day | 6 September | Monday |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | 30 September | Thursday |
| Thanksgiving Day | 11 October | Monday |
| Remembrance Day | 11 November | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Saturday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Sunday |
Note: Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) fall on a weekend in 2027. The Canada Labour Code provides substitution days for these.
Provincial Statutory Holidays
Each province observes its own set of statutory holidays. Here is a summary:
Alberta
10 holidays: New Year’s, Family Day (15 Feb), Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas
British Columbia
10 holidays: New Year’s, Family Day (15 Feb), Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, British Columbia Day (2 Aug), Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas
Manitoba
9 holidays: New Year’s, Louis Riel Day (15 Feb), Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, Christmas
New Brunswick
9 holidays: New Year’s, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Boxing Day
Newfoundland and Labrador
10 holidays: New Year’s, St. Patrick’s Day (17 Mar), Good Friday, National Day of Thanksgiving (11 Oct), Remembrance Day, Christmas, plus others
Nova Scotia
6 holidays: New Year’s, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas
Ontario
9 holidays: New Year’s, Family Day (15 Feb), Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Boxing Day
Prince Edward Island
7 holidays: New Year’s, Good Friday, Canada Day, Islander Day (21 Feb), Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas
Quebec
8 holidays: New Year’s, Good Friday, National Patriots’ Day (18 May), Quebec’s National Day (24 Jun), Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, plus one additional
Saskatchewan
10 holidays: New Year’s, Family Day (15 Feb), Good Friday, Victoria Day, Saskatchewan Day (3 Aug), Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas
Substitution Day Rules
When a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, substitution rules vary by province:
| Province | Saturday Holiday → | Sunday Holiday → |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | Preceding Friday or following Monday | Following Monday |
| Alberta | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| British Columbia | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| Ontario | Following Monday | Following Monday |
| Quebec | Following Monday | Following Monday |
In 2027, Christmas Day (Saturday) and Boxing Day (Sunday) trigger substitution rules in most provinces. The specific replacement days vary — check your province’s legislation.
How Statutory Holiday Pay Works
The Average Daily Wage Method
Most provinces calculate statutory holiday pay as:
Statutory Holiday Pay = Total wages earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday / 20
This applies whether the employee works 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 (in some provinces)
The exact entitlement depends on the province. For example:
- Ontario: Statutory holiday pay + 1.5x regular rate for hours worked
- British Columbia: Statutory holiday pay + average daily wage for hours worked
- Alberta: Statutory holiday pay + average daily wage for hours worked
Eligibility
In most provinces, employees are eligible for statutory holiday pay after 30 days of employment. Some provinces (e.g., Ontario) have no waiting period.
Common Employer Challenges
1. Multi-Provincial Operations
If your company operates in multiple provinces, each location follows its own statutory holiday calendar. An employee in Ontario gets different holidays than one in Nova Scotia.
2. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This holiday (30 September) was introduced federally in 2021 and has been adopted by some but not all provinces. Check whether your province observes it.
3. Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day (11 November) is a federal statutory holiday but is not observed in all provinces. Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec do not include it in their provincial list (though federal employees in those provinces still get it).
4. Holiday Pay Calculations
The “total wages earned in 4 weeks” calculation can be complex for employees with variable pay, commissions, or bonuses. Use payroll software to automate these calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all employees get statutory holidays off?
Not necessarily. Employees must have worked their last scheduled workday before the holiday and their first scheduled workday after the holiday to be eligible. Some provinces have additional requirements.
Can an employer require employees to work on a statutory holiday?
Yes, but employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay plus additional compensation as required by provincial law.
What about part-time employees?
Part-time employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay on a pro-rata basis. The calculation is based on their average daily wage.
Is Boxing Day a statutory holiday?
Boxing Day is a federal statutory holiday and is also observed in Ontario, New Brunswick, and PEI. It is not a statutory holiday in all provinces.
What happens when Christmas and Boxing Day fall on a weekend?
Most provinces provide substitution days. In 2027, Christmas (Saturday) is typically observed on Monday 27 December, and Boxing Day (Sunday) on Tuesday 28 December — but the exact dates vary by province.