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How Canadian Statutory Holidays and Vacation Pay Actually Work

September 27, 2026 · 1 min read

Entitlements vary by province — here is the general framework to understand your own situation.

Vacation and statutory holiday entitlements in Canada are set at the provincial level (or federally, for federally regulated industries), so the specifics genuinely differ depending on where you work.

Minimum vacation entitlement

Most provinces set a minimum of two weeks of paid vacation after one year of employment, increasing with tenure in many provinces — but exact thresholds and percentages vary.

Statutory holidays vary by province

The number and specific dates of statutory (public) holidays differ province to province — a holiday observed in one province may not be recognized in another.

Where to check your specific entitlement

Your provincial employment standards branch publishes current rules for vacation, statutory holiday pay, and eligibility — this is general information, not legal advice.

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