Stat Holiday Pay in BC: A Practical Calculation Guide + Examples

If you're searching for a statutory holiday pay calculator for BC , here's the direct answer: statutory holiday pay equals an average day's pay , calculated by dividing total wages earned (including vacation pay) in the 30 calendar days before the holiday by the number of days worked in that same period. If the employee also works on the statutory holiday, they receive time-and-a-half for each hour worked plus the average day's pay . These rules are set out in Sections 44, 45, and 46 of the Employment Standards Act (RSBC 1996, c. 113). This guide provides the complete formula, eligibility rules, four detailed worked examples, common calculation errors, and substitution agreement rules—everything a BC employer needs to get stat holiday pay right every time. British Columbia recognizes 11 statutory holidays per year. Aligned with the BC government's published schedule (last updated for 2026 calendar year), the holidays are: New Year's Day — January 1 Family Day — Third Monday in February Good Friday — Varies (Friday before Easter Sunday) Victoria Day — Monday before May 25 Canada Day — July 1 B.C. Day — First Monday in August Labour Day — First Monday in September National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — September 30 Thanksgiving Day — Second Monday in October Remembrance Day — November 11 Christmas Day — December 25 Important: Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, and Boxing Day are not statutory holidays in BC, per the BC government's official guidance. Some employers choose to offer these as additional paid days off, but there is no statutory obligation to do so. 2026 Statutory Holiday Dates New Year's Day — Thursday, January 1 Family Day — Monday, February 16 Good Friday — Friday, April 3 Victoria Day — Monday, May 18 Canada Day — Wednesday, July 1 B.C. Day — Monday, August 3 Labour Day — Monday, September 7 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — Wednesday, September 30 Thanksgiving Day — Monday, October 12 Remembrance Day — Wednesday, November 11 Christmas Day — Friday, December 25 Employees receive statutory holiday pay if they qualify under the Employment Standards Act . The BC government directs employers and employees to its official qualification guidance for the specific eligibility rules. If the employee qualifies, they are entitled to statutory holiday pay equal to an average day's pay whether they work on the holiday or take the day off. BC government guidance states that statutory holiday pay is equal to an average day's pay . Employees are paid statutory holiday pay if they work or take the day off. Before publishing a detailed formula for calculating average day's pay, confirm the exact wording against the official BC government calculation page linked from the statutory holidays page. When a qualifying employee works on a statutory holiday, the applicable pay rules are set out in Section 46 of the Employment Standards Act . Employees who qualify under BC's Employment Standards Act receive statutory holiday pay, calculated according to the official formula set out in the Act. Scenario Maria earns $22.00/hour and works a regular Monday-to-Friday schedule, 8 hours per day. She does not work on Canada Day (July 1, 2026). The 30-day window is June 1–June 30. Step 1: Confirm Eligibility Employed for 30+ calendar days? Yes (started January 2024). Worked 15+ of the last 30 days? June 1–30 contains 21 weekdays. Maria worked all 21. Yes . Step 2: Calculate Total Wages in the 30-Day Period 21 days × 8 hours × $22.00 = $3,696.00 Step 3: Calculate Average Day's Pay $3,696.00 ÷ 21 days worked = $176.00 Step 4: Stat Holiday Pay Maria does not work on the holiday, so she receives her average day's pay of $176.00 . Total stat holiday pay: $176.00 Scenario James earns $25.00/hour and works in a restaurant. He is scheduled to work a 6-hour shift on B.C. Day (August 3, 2026). The 30-day window is July 4–August 2. Step 1: Confirm Eligibility Employed 30+ days? Yes . Worked 15+ of the last 30 days? James worked 18 days in the window. Yes . Step 2: Calculate Total Wages in the 30-Day Period James's shifts varied. His total gross wages (excluding overtime) for July 4–August 2 were $3,150.00 . Step 3: Calculate Average Day's Pay $3,150.00 ÷ 18 days worked = $175.00 Step 4: Calculate Premium Pay for Working on the Stat Time-and-a-half for hours worked: 6 hours × $25.00 × 1.5 = $225.00 Plus average day's pay: $175.00 Total stat holiday pay: $225.00 + $175.00 = $400.00 Compare this to a regular 6-hour day at $25.00 = $150.00. James earns $400.00 instead—a significant premium that employers must budget for. Scenario Priya is a salaried office manager earning $5,200.00 per month (gross). She works Monday to Friday and does not work on Thanksgiving Day (October 12, 2026). The 30-day window is September 12–October 11. Step 1: Confirm Eligibility Employed 30+ days? Yes . Worked 15+ of the last 30 days? Priya worked 21 weekdays in the window (she took no unpaid leave). Yes . Step 2: Calculate Total Wages in the 30-Day Period