2026 Statutory Holidays Across Every Canadian Province and Territory

Canadian workers' statutory holiday entitlements vary dramatically depending on their jurisdiction. Below is every recognized statutory (general) holiday for 2026, organized from most to fewest.

2026 Statutory Holidays by Jurisdiction: Complete Province-by-Province Listing

Canadian workers' statutory holiday entitlements vary significantly depending on their jurisdiction. Below is every recognized statutory (general) holiday for 2026, organized from most to fewest.

Federal (Canada Labour Code) — 10 Paid Holidays

Note: Boxing Day is listed under the Canada Labour Code, with substitution rules applying when it falls on a non-working day.

British Columbia — 11 Statutory Holidays

Governed by the BC Employment Standards Act.

Yukon — 11 Statutory Holidays

Governed by the Yukon Employment Standards Act.

Northwest Territories — 11 Statutory Holidays

Governed by the NWT Employment Standards Act. Some employers in the NWT public sector may also observe Easter Monday and Boxing Day, but these are not general statutory holidays under the Employment Standards Act.

Nunavut — 10 Statutory Holidays

Governed by the Nunavut Labour Standards Act. Some Nunavut public sector employers may observe additional holidays not listed here.

Saskatchewan — 10 Statutory Holidays

Governed by The Saskatchewan Employment Act.

Ontario — 9 Public Holidays

Governed by the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000. Note: Remembrance Day is not a public holiday under Ontario's ESA, though many employers observe it voluntarily.

Alberta — 9 Statutory Holidays

Governed by the Alberta Employment Standards Code. Heritage Day (1st Monday in August) is not a statutory holiday under the Code.

Manitoba — 9 General Holidays

Governed by The Manitoba Employment Standards Code. Terry Fox Day (1st Monday in August) is not a general holiday under the Code.

New Brunswick — 8 Paid Public Holidays

Governed by the New Brunswick Employment Standards Act. Note: Victoria Day and Thanksgiving Day are not paid public holidays under New Brunswick's employment standards legislation.

Prince Edward Island — 8 Paid Holidays

Governed by the PEI Employment Standards Act.

Nova Scotia — 6 Paid Holidays

Governed by the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code. Note: Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving, and Victoria Day are not paid holidays under Nova Scotia's labour standards, though many employers observe them voluntarily.

Newfoundland and Labrador — 6 Paid Holidays

Governed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Standards Act.

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Holiday Pay Rules, Eligibility, and Substitute Day Provisions

Understanding how holiday pay is calculated and when substitute days apply is essential for both employers and employees. While specific formulas differ by jurisdiction, common principles apply across Canada.

General Holiday Pay Calculation

Most provinces entitle eligible employees to their regular daily wages for the statutory holiday, even if they do not work. In Ontario, the formula under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 is: total regular wages earned plus vacation pay payable in the four work weeks before the holiday, divided by 20. In Alberta, under the Employment Standards Code, eligible employees receive an average daily wage based on the 4 weeks preceding the holiday. British Columbia's Employment Standards Act uses a formula dividing total wages (excluding overtime) earned in the 30 calendar days before the holiday by the number of days worked.

Premium Pay for Working on a Holiday

Employees who work on a statutory holiday may be entitled to premium pay, holiday pay, a substitute holiday, or a combination of these, depending on the jurisdiction's legislation and the employee's eligibility. Under the federal Canada Labour Code, employees earn 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked, plus a substitute holiday with regular pay.

Eligibility Requirements

Most jurisdictions set jurisdiction-specific qualifying conditions for holiday pay eligibility. Rules vary by province and territory — employers must consult the applicable employment standards legislation for each jurisdiction where they operate. Specific qualifying periods vary: some provinces require 30 days of employment, while others (like Ontario) have no minimum tenure requirement for public holiday pay.

Substitute Holiday Rules for 2026

Several 2026 holidays fall mid-week, triggering important substitution considerations. Canada Day falls on Wednesday, July 1; Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11; and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Wednesday, September 30. When a statutory holiday falls on a non-working day, most jurisdictions require the employer to provide a substitute day off — typically the next working day. Under the federal Canada Labour Code, Boxing Day (December 26, a Saturday in 2026) would be substituted to the following Monday, December 28. Employers and employees may also agree in writing to an alternative substitute day in many provinces.

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2026 Long Weekends and Strategic Planning Tips

The 2026 calendar offers several long weekends and strategic opportunities for time-off planning. Here is a summary of key long weekends and mid-week holidays.

Confirmed 3-Day Long Weekends

4-Day Easter Weekend (Select Jurisdictions)

Good Friday (April 3) is statutory everywhere. Easter Monday (April 6) is a paid holiday for federal employees and may be observed in the NWT and Nunavut — creating a 4-day weekend from Friday to Monday.

Mid-Week Holidays Requiring Planning

Canada Day (Wed, Jul 1), National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Wed, Sep 30), and Remembrance Day (Wed, Nov 11) all fall mid-week in 2026. These do not create automatic long weekends but may be combined with vacation days for extended breaks. Employers should plan staffing and communicate substitute-day policies well in advance.

Jurisdictional Summary

British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories each have 11 statutory holidays in 2026, offering workers the most paid days off. Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia each have 6, among the fewest under their core employment standards frameworks. This gap of five holidays between the highest and lowest jurisdictions represents a significant difference in legislated time off for Canadian workers.

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Key Takeaways