Statutory holidays in Ontario provide workers with much-needed time to relax or receive additional compensation if they work.
For employees and employers alike, understanding these holidays, how pay works, and what happens if you work on a stat day is essential. Let’s dive into the key information for Ontario’s statutory holidays for 2024 and 2025.
Statutory Holiday Calendar
Here’s a complete list of Ontario’s statutory holidays for 2024 and 2025:
| Holiday | 2024 Date | 2025 Date | Pay Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 (Monday) | January 1 (Wednesday) | Paid day off or premium pay if working |
| Family Day | February 19 (Monday) | February 17 (Monday) | Paid day off |
| Good Friday | March 29 (Friday) | April 18 (Friday) | Paid day off or premium pay if working |
| Victoria Day | May 20 (Monday) | May 19 (Monday) | Paid day off |
| Canada Day | July 1 (Monday) | July 1 (Tuesday) | Paid day off |
| Labour Day | September 2 (Monday) | September 1 (Monday) | Paid day off |
| Thanksgiving Day | October 14 (Monday) | October 13 (Monday) | Paid day off |
| Christmas Day | December 25 (Wednesday) | December 25 (Thursday) | Paid day off |
| Boxing Day | December 26 (Thursday) | December 26 (Friday) | Paid day off |
What Are Statutory Holidays?
Statutory holidays (or “stat holidays”) are designated by the government as days when employees are entitled to a paid day off. If an employee works on a stat holiday, they are entitled to premium pay and possibly a substitute day off.
It’s important to note that not all public holidays are statutory in Ontario. For example, Civic Holiday (first Monday in August) and Remembrance Day are not statutory holidays, though some employers may still choose to provide paid time off.
Rules for Statutory Holiday Pay
To qualify for statutory holiday pay in Ontario, employees must meet the “first and last” rule. This means:
- You must work your last scheduled shift before the holiday.
- You must work your first scheduled shift after the holiday.
If you miss either shift without a valid reason, you may lose your eligibility for holiday pay.
Holiday Pay Calculation Formula
Holiday pay is calculated as follows:
Holiday Pay=Total Wages Earned in 4 Weeks Before the Holiday20\text{Holiday Pay} = \frac{\text{Total Wages Earned in 4 Weeks Before the Holiday}}{20}
For example:
- If you earned $3,200 in the four weeks before the holiday: Holiday Pay=3,20020=160 dollars\text{Holiday Pay} = \frac{3,200}{20} = 160 \text{ dollars}
Working on a Statutory Holiday
Employees required to work on a statutory holiday are entitled to premium pay at 1.5 times their regular hourly wage, in addition to their holiday pay.
For example:
- If your hourly wage is $20 and you work 8 hours on a stat holiday, your premium pay would be: 1.5×20×8=240 dollars1.5 \times 20 \times 8 = 240 \text{ dollars}
- Adding your holiday pay of $160, you would earn a total of $400 for that day.
Some employers may also offer a substitute day off with pay as an alternative to premium pay.
Stat Holidays on Weekends
When a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, employees are still entitled to their holiday benefits. Employers typically offer one of the following options:
- A substitute day off with pay on a different date.
- Holiday pay for the actual holiday.
Plan Ahead
Knowing statutory holiday dates and pay rules can help employees plan personal time off or budget for additional earnings. Employers can also streamline payroll and ensure compliance with Ontario’s labour laws.
Whether you’re earning extra by working on a stat holiday or enjoying a paid day off, being informed helps everyone make the most of these special days.
