In Canada, public holidays are legislated at the national, provincial and territorial levels. Many of these holidays are observed nationwide, but each province and territory does have its own holidays as well.
While major Christian holidays such as Christmas and Good Friday are officially observed, other religious holidays are widely accepted as well (see Multiculturalism). For example, some school children and employees take days off for Jewish holidays, Muslim holidays, or Eastern Orthodox observances according to the Julian calendar. While not normally taken off work, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day are traditionally observed by Canadians. The Celebrate Canada series is a collection of important cultural days beginning with National Aboriginal Day on June 21, and followed by St-Jean Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and concluding with Canada Day on July 1.
Statutory holidays
A statutory holiday (also known as "general" or "public" holiday) in Canada is legislated either through the federal, or a provincial or territorial government. Most workers, public and private, are entitled to take the day off with regular pay. However, some employers may require employees to work on such a holiday, but the employee must either receive a day off in lieu of the holiday or must be paid at a premium rate — usually 1½ (known as "time and a half") or twice (known as "double time") the regular pay for their time worked that day, in addition to the holiday pay (except for high technology workers in British Columbia). In most provinces, when a statutory holiday falls on a normal day off (generally a weekend), the following work day is considered a statutory holiday. Statistics Canada shows an average of 11 paid statutory holidays per year in regard to all firms and corporations operating within the province.
Nationwide statutory holidays in Canada
Statutory holidays for federal employees
In addition to the nationwide holidays listed above, the following holidays are mandated by federal legislation for federally regulated employees. All banks commemorate these holidays, and they are statutory in some provinces and territories.
Other common statutory holidays
Provincial and territorial holidays
Provinces and territories generally adopt the same holidays as the federal government with some variations:
Alberta
- Alberta - 5 nationwide and 4 provincial statutory holidays, as well as 3 "optional holidays".
- Alberta Family Day - third Monday in February
- Easter Monday - an "optional holiday"
- Victoria Day - last Monday before or on May 24
- Heritage Day - first Monday of August; an "optional holiday"
- Thanksgiving - second Monday in October
- Remembrance Day - November 11
- Christmas Day - December 25
- Boxing Day - December 26 (an "optional holiday")
British Columbia
- British Columbia - 5 nationwide and 4 provincial statutory holidays. Boxing Day is not a statutory holiday.
- Victoria Day - last Monday before or on May 24
- British Columbia Day - first Monday of August
- Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day
Manitoba
- Manitoba - 5 nationwide and 3 provincial statutory holidays, as well as 2 optional holidays. Remembrance Day and Boxing Day are not statutory holidays.
- Louis Riel Day - third Monday in February
- Victoria Day
- Civic Holiday - first Monday in August; not a statutory holiday.
- Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day - an "Official day of Observance", not a statutory holiday.
New Brunswick
- New Brunswick - New Year's Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- New Brunswick Day - first Monday in August
- Remembrance Day
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Newfoundland and Labrador - 5 nationwide and 1 provincial statutory holiday. Thanksgiving is not a statutory holiday. Canada Day is co-celebrated with Memorial Day.
- Armistice Day
- St. Patrick's Day ( March 17 ), St. George's Day ( April 23 ), Discovery Day (Monday nearest June 24 ) and Orangemen's Day ( July 12 ) have not been observed as statutory holidays since 1992. They are, however, observed by the provincial government.
Unlike most other provinces, there is no province-wide holiday on the first Monday in August. It may be seen as redundant due to the Royal St. John's Regatta, which is observed as a civic holiday in St. John's on the first Wednesday in August (or, in case of poor weather, the next suitable day thereafter). Harbour Grace has a similar holiday for its regatta in late July. All other municipalities are entitled to designate one day a year as a civic holiday, however many do not take advantage of this.
Northwest Territories
- Northwest Territories - 5 nationwide holidays and 5 territorial statutory holidays.
- Victoria Day
- National Aboriginal Day - June 21
- Civic Holiday - First Monday in August
- Remembrance Day
- Thanksgiving
Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia - 5 nationwide holidays plus Remembrance Day. Victoria Day, Thanksgiving, and Boxing Day are not statutory holidays.
- Most statutory holidays can be substituted for a mutually agreeable alternative paid day off in lieu, or employers can require employees to work at a premium rate of pay. Several types of employment, including workplaces covered by a collective agreement, are exempt from provincial rules governing statutory holidays.
- Remembrance Day - This holiday is governed separately from all other public holidays in Nova Scotia. It is illegal for any person to offer any goods or real property for sale on this date, or to accept or offer employment in exchange for gain or reward. There are special exemptions for workers who are employed in certain categories, but an alternative day off with pay must be offered in lieu.
- Natal Day - first Monday in August; not a statutory holiday but a common day off.
Nunavut
- Nunavut - 5 nationwide and 4 territorial statutory holidays. Boxing Day is not a statutory holiday.
- Victoria Day
- Nunavut Day - July 9 , originated as a paid holiday for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and regional Inuit associations. It became a ½ day holiday for Government employees in 1999 and a full day in 2001. Most employers give the day off with the notable exceptions being the Federal Government and the North West Company. Not a statutory holiday.
- Civic Holiday - first Monday in August.
- Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day
Ontario
- Ontario - 5 nationwide and 4 provincial statutory holidays plus one common municipal holiday.
- Family Day - third Monday in February.
- Victoria Day
- August Civic Public Holiday - first Monday in August. This is