Canada Statutory Holidays by Province (2026)
Understanding statutory holidays in Canada is essential for employees, employers, and newcomers. Unlike some countries, Canada does not have one unified national holiday system—each province and territory sets its own public holidays.
This guide provides a complete overview of Canadian stat holidays by province in 2026, along with key facts you should know.
| Holiday | BC | AB | SK | MB | ON | QC | NB | NS | PE | NL | YT | NT | NU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Family Day / Equivalent | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (Louis Riel) | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Good Friday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | (optional) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Victoria Day / Patriots’ Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| St. Jean Baptiste Day | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Canada Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Civic Holiday (Aug) | ✓ (BC Day) | (optional) | ✓ | (observed) | (not stat) | ✗ | ✓ | (observed) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Labour Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Truth & Reconciliation | ✓ | ✗ (optional) | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Thanksgiving | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remembrance Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Christmas Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boxing Day | ✗ | (optional) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Important Facts About Canadian Stat Holidays
No Single National Holiday System
Canada has only a few holidays observed everywhere. Most holidays depend on your province or territory.
2. Only 3 Holidays Are Nationwide
These holidays are recognized across all provinces and territories:
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- New Year’s Day
3. Provinces Have Unique Holidays
Some provinces celebrate special holidays that others do not:
- Quebec: Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24)
- Manitoba: Louis Riel Day (February)
- British Columbia: BC Day (August)
4. Ontario Has Fewer Stat Holidays
If you live in Ontario, you typically get 9 statutory holidays, fewer than provinces like Saskatchewan or Manitoba.
5. Remembrance Day Is Not a Stat Holiday Everywhere
- It is a statutory holiday in most provinces
- BUT NOT in Ontario and Quebec
6. Civic Holiday Is Not Always “Stat”
The August Civic Holiday:
- Is not a statutory holiday in Ontario
- May still be given as a day off by employers
7. New Holiday: Truth and Reconciliation Day
- Observed on September 30
- Stat holiday in some provinces and all federal workplaces
- Not mandatory everywhere yet
Important Facts About Canadian Stat Holidays
Stat Holiday Pay Rules (Quick Overview)
In most provinces:
- Employees get a paid day off, OR
- If they work → they receive premium pay (1.5x or more)
Eligibility depends on:
- Days worked before/after the holiday
- Employment status (full-time, part-time, etc.)
Important Facts About Canadian Stat Holidays
Why This Matters
Understanding statutory holidays helps you:
- Plan vacations and long weekends
- Calculate holiday pay correctly
- Know your legal rights as an employee
Free Canadian Citizenship Practice Test
Canadian Citizenship Practice Test 2026 Prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Test with our free and accurate practice tests designed to