What are statutory holidays?
General holidays, also referred to as statutory or public holidays, are federally or provincially legislated holidays where employees in Canada receive a day off, a day off with pay, compensation in lieu of time off or some combination of these. Guidelines vary from one province or territory to the next. Please refer to the following tables for federal and provincial public holidays for 2024 as well as guidelines for stat holiday pay.
Click the links below to jump to a section:
- National Stat Holidays
- Federal Stat Holidays
- Stat Holidays in Alberta
- Stat Holidays in British Columbia
- Stat Holidays in Manitoba
- Stat Holidays in New Brunswick
- Stat Holidays in Newfoundland & Labrador
- Stat Holidays in Nova Scotia
- Stat Holidays in Nunavut
- Stat Holidays in Ontario
- Stat Holidays in Prince Edward Island
- Stat Holidays in Québec
- Stat Holidays in Saskatchewan
- Stat Holidays in Yukon
- Stat Holiday Pay in Canada
Additional Resources
- Download our handy 2024 Payroll Calendar to keep at your desk!
- Check out the National Payroll Institute’s Payroll Guidelines, including Statutory Holidays Payroll Best Practices Guidelines (Note: NPI Membership required to access)
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only. It is not professional financial or legal advice nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Where there are discrepancies between the guide and information provided by the federal government, provincial government, or the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) or Revenu Québec, defer to the guidelines provided by the governing agencies.
National Stat Holidays
Federal Stat Holidays
These holidays apply to federal employees. Please refer to the Government of Canada’s workplace standards for a list of federally regulated industries and workplaces.
Stat Holidays in Alberta
*Heritage Day is not a legislated public holiday, but some employers choose to observe it and give their employees the day off.
For more information, see the Government of Alberta’s Employment standards rules – Alberta general holidays.
Stat Holidays in British Columbia
For more information, see the Government of British Columbia’s list of Statutory holidays.
Stat Holidays in Manitoba
*Terry Fox Day is not a legislated public holiday, but some employers choose to observe it and give their employees the day off.
**Although Remembrance Day is not a general holiday, there are restrictions for operating businesses and special requirements for paying employees who work that day.
For more information, see the Government of Manitoba’s Employment Standards - General Holidays.
Stat Holidays in New Brunswick
For more information, see the Government of New Brunswick’s list of Statutory/Public Holidays.
Stat Holidays in Newfoundland & Labrador
For more information, see the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador’s list of Provincial Government Observed Holidays.
Stat Holidays in Northwest Territories
For more information, see the Government of Northwest Territories' list of Statutory Holidays.
Stat Holidays in Nova Scotia
*The first Monday in August is celebrated as Natal Day in Nova Scotia. Natal Day is considered a civic holiday and is not a statutory holiday. As such, the rules to pay your employees for a statutory holiday do not apply.
**The Remembrance Day holiday is governed by the Remembrance Day Act. Some employees may be entitled to a benefit.
For more information, see the Government of Nova Scotia’s Holiday and Retail Closing Day Charts.
Stat Holidays in Nunavut
For more information, see the Government of Nunavut’s list of General Holidays.
Stat Holidays in Ontario
For more information, see the Government of Ontario’s list of Public Holidays.
Stat Holidays in Prince Edward Island
*The first Monday in August is celebrated as Natal Day in PEI. Natal Day is considered a civic holiday and is not a statutory holiday. As such, the rules to pay your employees for a statutory holiday do not apply.
For more information, see the Government of Prince Edward Island’s list of Paid Holidays.
Stat Holidays in Québec
*In Québec, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is officially a paid statutory public holiday covered under the Act Respecting Labour Standards.
For more information, see the CNESST list of Statutory Holidays.
Stat Holidays in Saskatchewan
For more information, see the Government of Saskatchewan’s list of Public Holidays.
Stat Holidays in Yukon
For more information, see the Government of Yukon’s list of statutory holidays.
Stat Holiday Pay in Canada
There are a number of dates during the year when specific forms or returns are due to be filed, or certain payments or remittances are due to be paid. The following table outlines how employees are paid for statutory holidays worked.