Planning time off in Canada is not always simple because statutory holidays depend on where you work. Federally regulated jobs follow the Canada Labour Code, while most other jobs follow provincial/territorial employment standards.
This guide gives you a Canada-wide planning view first, then links you to official government holiday pages so you can confirm what applies to your province or workplace.
What is a “statutory holiday” in Canada?
A statutory holiday (stat holiday) is a paid holiday created by law.
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Federally regulated workplaces (banks, telecom, interprovincial transport, many Crown corporations) follow federal rules.
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Provincially/territorially regulated workplaces follow local employment standards, and the list can be different.
Federal “general holidays” (Canada Labour Code):
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/workplace/federal-labour-standards/holidays.html
The 5 holidays that are “safe” almost everywhere
These are the closest Canada has to nationwide statutory holidays:
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New Year’s Day — Thursday, January 1, 2026
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Good Friday — Friday, April 3, 2026
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Canada Day — Wednesday, July 1, 2026
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Labour Day — Monday, September 7, 2026
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Christmas Day — Friday, December 25, 2026
(Always confirm your workplace rules, especially if you are federally regulated or unionized.)
Canada-wide 2026 holiday dates most people plan around
These dates are widely recognized, but not all are statutory in every province:
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New Year’s Day — Thu, Jan 1
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Family Day / February holiday (varies by province name) — Mon, Feb 16
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Good Friday — Fri, Apr 3
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Victoria Day / National Patriots’ Day (QC) — Mon, May 18
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Canada Day — Wed, Jul 1
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First Monday in August (varies; not statutory everywhere) — Mon, Aug 3
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Labour Day — Mon, Sep 7
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (not statutory everywhere) — Wed, Sep 30
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Thanksgiving — Mon, Oct 12
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Remembrance Day (not statutory everywhere) — Wed, Nov 11
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Christmas Day — Fri, Dec 25
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Boxing Day (federal + some provinces/territories) — Sat, Dec 26
Federal holiday rules (Canada Labour Code):
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/workplace/federal-labour-standards/holidays.html
Long weekends in Canada (2026 planner)
These are the most common long-weekend opportunities:
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Family Day weekend: Sat–Mon (Feb 14–16)
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Good Friday weekend: Fri–Sun (Apr 3–5)
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Victoria Day weekend: Sat–Mon (May 16–18)
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First Monday in August weekend (where observed): Sat–Mon (Aug 1–3)
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Labour Day weekend: Sat–Mon (Sep 5–7)
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Thanksgiving weekend: Sat–Mon (Oct 10–12)
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Christmas weekend: Fri–Sun (Dec 25–27)
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If your workplace gives an “in lieu” day for Boxing Day (Dec 26), some workers may also get Mon, Dec 28 off — but this depends on the rules that apply to your job.
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Official links to statutory holidays by jurisdiction
Use these government pages to confirm what applies to your job:
Federal (Canada Labour Code)
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/workplace/federal-labour-standards/holidays.html
Alberta
https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-general-holidays
British Columbia
Manitoba
https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/holidays.html
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/labour/nonunion/paidholidays/
Nova Scotia
https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/holidaypay.asp
Ontario
https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/public-holidays
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/leave/statutory-holidays
Saskatchewan
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/employment-standards/public-holidays
Northwest Territories
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/employment-standards/holidays
Nunavut
Yukon
https://yukon.ca/en/doing-business/employment-standards/statutory-holidays
Reality check for planning
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“Stat holiday” is not identical across Canada. Always confirm your province/territory rules.
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Observed days off can also depend on your employer policy or union agreement (especially when a holiday falls on a weekend).
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If you’re not sure whether your job is federally regulated, start with the federal list above and then check your provincial employment standards page.
If you want, tell me your province + whether you work in a bank/telecom/transport, and I can summarize the exact statutory holidays that apply to your situation (with the right government link).
