What Employers Need to Know: Public (Statutory) Holidays

With Canada Day just around the corner, it is a timely reminder for employers to ensure they are complying with their obligations surrounding public (statutory) holidays. This article will highlight the key considerations for employers to determine whether their employees are entitled to time off, and if so, how to calculate public holiday pay. 

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Employment Law

With Canada Day just around the corner, it is a timely reminder for employers to ensure they are complying with their obligations surrounding public (statutory) holidays. This article will highlight the key considerations for employers to determine whether their employees are entitled to time off, and if so, how to calculate public holiday pay. 

What are They?

Statutory holidays, also called public holidays, refer to holidays legislated by the federal or provincial and territorial governments. On these days, most employees are entitled to the day off from work with public holiday pay. 

When are They?

Public holidays vary across provinces. In Ontario, there are nine public holidays recognized under the Employment Standards Act, 2002 (“ESA”). They include New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. 

When the public holiday falls on a day the employee would ordinarily be working, the employee is entitled to the day off from work with public holiday pay. Since Canada Day falls on a Friday this year, many employees will simply take that day off from work. 

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