What Are the 12 Statutory Holidays in Canada? 2026 Guide
Most Canadians assume there’s a fixed list of 12 statutory holidays that everyone can count on. The truth is only five holidays — New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day — are guaranteed nationwide, according to the Canada Revenue Agency (federal public holiday authority); provincial and territorial rules add many more, varying by location.
National statutory holidays in Canada: 5 (New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day) ·
Province with most statutory holidays: Quebec (8) ·
Province with fewest statutory holidays: Nunavut (4) ·
New federal statutory holiday (added 2021): National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept 30) ·
Easter Monday status: Statutory only in Quebec and some territories
Quick snapshot
- 5 national statutory holidays exist (Canada Revenue Agency) (Canadian Heritage)
- Easter Monday is statutory only in Quebec and territories (Canada Revenue Agency) (Canadian Heritage)
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal statutory holiday since 2021 (Canadian Heritage)
- The exact number of “12 statutory holidays” is not officially defined; it varies by interpretation.
- Some provinces have optional or public non‑statutory holidays (e.g., Civic Holiday in Ontario) that may be paid but not mandated.
- New Year’s Day: Jan 1, 2026 – nationwide (CRA)
- Good Friday: Apr 3, 2026 – nationwide (CRA)
- Easter Monday: Apr 6, 2026 – Quebec only (CRA)
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Sep 30, 2026 – federal (Canadian Heritage)
- No new nationwide statutory holiday is scheduled for 2026.
- Some provinces may adjust existing holidays (e.g., B.C. Family Day consistent in February).
Five national holidays, but add provincial rules and the count climbs to eight, nine, or even ten — one pattern: the total you get depends entirely on where you live.
| Holiday category | Number | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Total national statutory holidays | 5 | New Year’s, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day |
| Province with most statutory holidays (mandatory) | Quebec – 8 | Includes Easter Monday, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, and others |
| 2026 date for Good Friday | April 3, 2026 | Nationwide except Quebec (observed anyway) |
| 2026 date for Thanksgiving | October 12, 2026 | Statutory in most provinces; not in PEI, NS, NL |
| Federal holiday not statutory in all provinces | Remembrance Day | Statutory in 6 provinces; observed but not mandated in others |
What are the 12 statutory holidays in Canada in 2026?
The phrase “12 statutory holidays” is a common search but misleading. Canada has five national statutory holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day. These are mandated for all federally regulated employees and observed in every province and territory.
If you work for a federally regulated employer (banks, airlines, federal government), you get these five paid days off. Provincial employees get a longer list depending on where they live.
5 national statutory holidays
- New Year’s Day – January 1, 2026 (Canada Revenue Agency)
- Good Friday – April 3, 2026
- Canada Day – July 1, 2026
- Labour Day – first Monday in September (September 7, 2026)
- Christmas Day – December 25, 2026
Provincial additions by jurisdiction
Each province and territory adds its own statutory holidays. For example, Quebec adds Easter Monday, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), and the federal National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. British Columbia adds Family Day, Victoria Day, and B.C. Day. The full list for each province is available from the Government of British Columbia Employment Standards and similar sources.
Commonly assumed 12 – the reality
The myth likely comes from combining federal holidays with a few popular provincial ones (Victoria Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Boxing Day, etc.). But Boxing Day, for example, is only a statutory holiday for federally regulated employees — most provinces treat it as a regular day. The actual count for any one employee ranges from 5 to 10.
The implication: “12 statutory holidays in Canada” is not an official count. It’s a rough total that includes federal, provincial, and sometimes optional days.
Takeaway: Canadians cannot rely on a fixed count of 12 statutory holidays; only five are nationwide, and your actual entitlements depend on provincial rules.
Is Easter Monday a paid holiday in Canada?
Easter Monday (April 6, 2026) is a statutory paid holiday only in Quebec and the territories of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. In the rest of Canada, it is not a mandatory statutory holiday — employers may choose to give it, but they are not required to.
Where Easter Monday is statutory
- Quebec: yes, under the Act Respecting Labour Standards (CNESST (Quebec labour standards))
- Nunavut and Northwest Territories: yes (Statutory Holidays compiled list)
- All other provinces: not statutory, though many employers voluntarily observe it
Why it is not a statutory holiday in most provinces
The distinction stems from history: Good Friday has long been the main Christian holiday, and most provinces chose not to add a second day. Employment standards acts typically list Easter Monday only where specifically included.
Employment standards and pay rules
If you work in Quebec on Easter Monday, you are entitled to the day off with pay or premium pay if you work. In Ontario, for instance, Easter Monday is not considered a public holiday under the Employment Standards Act. Always check your provincial Employment and Social Development Canada (federal employment standards) for the most precise rules.
Assuming Easter Monday is a universal holiday could mean lost pay or unexpected work schedules. Quebec is the only province where it is guaranteed for provincially regulated workers.
The pattern: if you live outside Quebec or the territories, Easter Monday is not a guaranteed paid day off.
Which province in Canada has the most statutory holidays?
Quebec leads with 8 mandatory statutory holidays. Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba list up to 10 if optional days like Easter Monday are counted, but the mandatory baseline varies.
Quebec leads with 8 statutory holidays
Quebec observes: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day (National Patriots Day), Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day — but Victoria Day is not a statutory holiday for Quebec, as it is replaced by National Patriots Day. The actual list includes 8 mandatory paid holidays.
Other provinces and territories counts
Based on official sources from Canada Revenue Agency and provincial governments:
| Province/Territory | Mandatory statutory holidays | Includes Easter Monday? |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 8 | Yes |
| Ontario | 9 | No |
| British Columbia | 7 (with B.C. Day) | No |
| Alberta | 9 | No |
| Saskatchewan | 10 | No |
| Manitoba | 9 | No |
| Nova Scotia | 6 | No |
| New Brunswick | 6 | No |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 6 | No |
| Prince Edward Island | 6 | No |
| Nunavut | 4 | Yes |
| Northwest Territories | 5 | Yes |
| Yukon | 6 | No |
How the count is determined
The count differs because each province defines its own public holidays under its employment standards act. Federal holidays like Remembrance Day may be statutory only if the province adopts them. The Wikipedia page on public holidays in Canada (community-maintained list) provides a useful but unofficial comparison.
Why this matters: If you move provinces, your entitlements change. A worker in Quebec gets Easter Monday off; a worker in Ontario does not — even if both work for the same national company.
Takeaway: Quebec offers the most mandatory statutory holidays (8), but Saskatchewan and Alberta reach 10 when optional days are included.
What is the new statutory holiday in 2026?
The most recent addition to Canada’s federal statutory calendar is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, observed on September 30. It became a federal statutory holiday in 2021 and continues in 2026. Provincially, some jurisdictions have adopted it as a paid holiday as well.
This is the first new federal statutory holiday since 1983 (Remembrance Day was added then). It affects federally regulated workers nationwide, but provincial uptake is uneven.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (2021 onward)
September 30 is a federal statutory holiday for all federally regulated employees. Provinces such as British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia have also designated it as a provincial statutory holiday, while others observe it as a day of remembrance but not a paid day off. Check your provincial standards.
Any new provincial holidays for 2026
No new provincial statutory holidays have been announced for 2026. Some provinces (e.g., Ontario has debated adding a holiday) but no changes are scheduled.
Upcoming changes to statutory holidays
Discussions continue about making Remembrance Day a national statutory holiday (it is currently only statutory in six provinces). No federal legislation is imminent for 2026.
What is the long weekend in October in Canada?
The October long weekend is Thanksgiving, observed on the second Monday of October. In 2026, that falls on Monday, October 12. Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday in most provinces, but not all.
Thanksgiving – second Monday of October
Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday in: Ontario, Quebec (though often observed differently), British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nova Scotia. It is not a statutory day off in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, where it is a non‑statutory holiday. The Canada Revenue Agency (public holiday list) confirms this.
Which provinces observe Thanksgiving as a statutory holiday
See the table above. Essentially, Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday in all provinces except PEI, NS, and NL. In those provinces, many employers still give the day off, but it is not mandated.
Other October long weekends (e.g., provincial)
No other statutory long weekends occur in October. Some provinces have a February long weekend (Family Day) and an August long weekend (Civic Holiday), but October belongs to Thanksgiving alone.
2026 Statutory Holidays Timeline
- January 1, 2026 – New Year’s Day – statutory nationwide (Canada Revenue Agency)
- February 16, 2026 – Family Day (Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick); Louis Riel Day (Manitoba); Islander Day (PEI); Heritage Day (Nova Scotia) (statutoryholidays.com)
- April 3, 2026 – Good Friday – statutory nationwide (Canada Revenue Agency)
- April 6, 2026 – Easter Monday – statutory only in Quebec, Nunavut, NWT (CNESST)
- May 18, 2026 – Victoria Day – statutory in most provinces (National Patriots Day in Quebec) (Canada Revenue Agency)
- July 1, 2026 – Canada Day – statutory nationwide (Canada Revenue Agency)
- September 7, 2026 – Labour Day (first Monday of Sept) – statutory nationwide (Canada Revenue Agency)
- September 30, 2026 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – federal statutory holiday (Canadian Heritage)
- October 12, 2026 – Thanksgiving Day – statutory in most provinces (Canada Revenue Agency)
- November 11, 2026 – Remembrance Day – federal holiday; statutory in some provinces (Canada Revenue Agency)
- December 25, 2026 – Christmas Day – statutory nationwide (Canada Revenue Agency)
Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- 5 national statutory holidays are confirmed by the Canada Revenue Agency: New Year’s, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day.
- Easter Monday is statutory only in Quebec and the territories (confirmed by CNESST).
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal statutory holiday since 2021 (Canadian Heritage).
What’s unclear
- The exact number of “12 statutory holidays” is not officially defined; it varies by interpretation depending on whether you count federal, provincial, or optional holidays.
- Some provinces have “public non‑statutory” holidays (e.g., Civic Holiday in Ontario) that may be paid but are not mandated.
The five national statutory holidays are New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day.
— Canada Revenue Agency (federal public holiday authority)
Family Day is observed on the third Monday of February in British Columbia.
— Government of British Columbia Employment Standards
Quebec has the most mandatory statutory holidays of any province, at eight.
— Wikipedia – Public holidays in Canada (community-compiled reference)
The 2026 statutory holiday calendar includes 11 dates that are observed in at least one jurisdiction.
— Statutory Holidays (commercial holiday database)
For Canadian workers and employers, the takeaway is clear: check your provincial employment standards to know exactly which days you’re entitled to, because assuming the full 12 could leave you missing paid time off. The safest bet is to rely on the five national holidays and then verify provincial rules for the rest.
statutoryholidays.com, canada-holidays.ca, evolia.com, timeoff.management, hrcovered.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Remembrance Day a statutory holiday in Canada?
Remembrance Day (November 11) is a federal statutory holiday, but it is only a mandated paid day off in six provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario (for federal workers), New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In other provinces, it is observed but not statutory.
What holidays are paid in Canada?
Paid holidays depend on your province and whether you work in a federally regulated industry. At minimum, the five national statutory holidays are paid for federal employees. Provincially regulated workers get between 4 and 10 paid holidays per year depending on the province. For more on federal payment schedules, see our guide on Canada Child Benefit November 2025 – Payment Date and Rates.
Do all provinces have the same statutory holidays?
No. Each province sets its own list. For example, Quebec includes Easter Monday and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day; Ontario does not. British Columbia includes B.C. Day in August. Always check your local employment standards.
What is the difference between federal and provincial statutory holidays?
Federal statutory holidays apply to employees of federally regulated businesses (banks, airlines, interprovincial transportation, broadcasting, etc.). Provincial statutory holidays apply to all other employees within that province. Some holidays overlap (e.g., Canada Day is both federal and provincial).
Are statutory holidays mandatory for all employers?
Yes, for employees covered by the respective jurisdiction. Federally regulated employers must give all federal holidays off with pay. Provincially regulated employers must give the provincial statutory holidays. Exceptions exist for essential services and certain industries.
Does Canada have a statutory holiday in August?
Yes, several provinces have an August statutory holiday: British Columbia (B.C. Day), Alberta, Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Day), Manitoba (Civic Holiday), Ontario (Civic Holiday), New Brunswick, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories. It is usually the first Monday of August. Quebec does not have an August statutory holiday. For deals on statutory holiday shopping, see our Black Friday Sales Canada 2025: Dates, Deals & Comparisons.
Is Boxing Day a statutory holiday in Canada?
Boxing Day (December 26) is a federal statutory holiday for federally regulated employees. For provincially regulated employees, it is a statutory holiday only in Ontario (under the Retail Business Holidays Act) and British Columbia. In most other provinces, it is not mandated, though many retail workers get the day off by custom.
More related posts
Bilal Abbas Khan: Religion, Ethnicity, Wife & Dramas
Highest Paying Jobs in Canada – 2025 Salaries and Rankings
Antoine Semenyo Transfer: £62.5m to Man City, Stats, Bio
Ezra Miller: Timeline of Allegations and Current Status
6/8 Time Signature Songs: Examples, Counting & Popular Tracks
Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Stanley Cup Win, Buyout & Career Stats
Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats – Box Score and Highlights
Rockies vs Blue Jays Head-to-Head: Score, Stats & Prediction
