Canada Public Holidays 2025, along with leave management, provide employees with a well-deserved break, and they offer opportunities for employers to plan their operations effectively. Public holidays vary by province and territory, so both employees and employers need to understand which holidays are recognized and how they can plan for long weekends, particularly in the private and public sectors.
In this article, we’ll explore the statutory holidays (official holidays when employees are generally entitled to paid time off) and how both employees and employers can maximize long weekends in 2025.
Overview of Public and Statutory Holidays in Canada
Canada Public Holidays 2025 include both national (federal) holidays and provincial or territorial holidays. For employers, it’s important to note that statutory holidays can differ depending on the province or territory, and while federal holidays are observed nationwide, some provinces have additional holidays that are not recognized everywhere.
For employees in the private sector, statutory holidays often mean a day off with pay, or if they work, they may receive holiday pay (typically time-and-a-half or double pay). Employees in the public sector (government employees) may have access to additional days off, such as Easter Monday, which is more commonly observed by federal workers but not by private companies.
Federal Public Holidays in Canada for 2025
The following holidays are national statutory holidays in Canada, meaning they are observed in all provinces and territories:
- New Year’s Day – January 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
- Good Friday – April 18, 2025 (Friday)
- Canada Day – July 1, 2025 (Tuesday)
- Labour Day – September 1, 2025 (Monday)
- Christmas Day – December 25, 2025 (Thursday)
- Boxing Day – December 26, 2025 (Friday) (For public sector employees and in Ontario)
Other holidays such as Easter Monday and Remembrance Day are observed mainly by federal employees and certain provinces, but they may not be statutory holidays for private-sector employees in all regions.
1. New Year’s Day – January 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
- Private Sector: New Year’s Day is a statutory holiday nationwide, meaning employees are entitled to a day off or holiday pay if they work.
- Public Sector: Public offices and services will be closed, and federal employees will have the day off.
Long Weekend Tip: With New Year’s Day falling on a Wednesday, employees could take vacation days on Monday, December 30, and Tuesday, December 31, 2024, to enjoy a five-day weekend (from Saturday, December 28 to Wednesday, January 1).
2. Good Friday – April 18, 2025 (Friday) & Easter Monday – April 21, 2025 (Monday)
- Private Sector: Good Friday is a statutory holiday in all provinces except Quebec. Easter Monday is not a statutory holiday in most provinces, but it is often observed by federal employees and schools.
- Public Sector: Federal employees and some provincial workers will have both Good Friday and Easter Monday off.
Long Weekend Tip: For employees who get Easter Monday off, this naturally creates a four-day weekend from Friday to Monday. If your company doesn’t offer Easter Monday, consider taking a vacation day on Monday to create your own long weekend.
3. Victoria Day – May 19, 2025 (Monday)
- Private Sector: Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in most provinces, except Quebec, where it is replaced by National Patriots’ Day. Employers are expected to provide a day off or holiday pay.
- Public Sector: Public employees will enjoy a long weekend, as most government offices are closed on Victoria Day.
Long Weekend Tip: With Victoria Day landing on a Monday, employees automatically get a three-day weekend. This holiday is also considered the unofficial start of summer, making it a popular time for short vacations.
4. Canada Day – July 1, 2025 (Tuesday)
- Private Sector: As a nationwide statutory Canada public holiday 2025, Canada Day provides employees with a guaranteed day off or holiday pay. Since it falls on a Tuesday, some employees may wish to extend their break.
- Public Sector: Public employees will observe the holiday, with most government services closing for the day.
Long Weekend Tip: Consider taking Monday, June 30 off to create a four-day weekend (Saturday, June 28 to Tuesday, July 1). This is a prime opportunity to enjoy a mini-vacation in the summer.
5. Civic Holiday – August 4, 2025 (Monday)
- Private Sector: Civic Holiday is a non-statutory holiday in many provinces, meaning employers may or may not offer it as a paid holiday. However, in provinces like Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia, it’s widely observed.
- Public Sector: Federal and provincial employees typically get this day off, particularly in regions where it is celebrated under names like British Columbia Day or Heritage Day.
Long Weekend Tip: Where Civic Holiday is observed, this creates an automatic long weekend. Employees can use this time for a mid-summer break.
6. Labor Day – September 1, 2025 (Monday)
- Private Sector: Labor Day is a statutory holiday across Canada, providing employees with a day off or holiday pay if they are required to work.
- Public Sector: Government offices and services will be closed, giving public employees a break.
Long Weekend Tip: Labour Day falls on a Monday, so no additional time off is required to enjoy a three-day weekend. This is often considered the unofficial end of summer, with many families taking the opportunity for a final summer getaway before school resumes.
7. Thanksgiving Day – October 13, 2025 (Monday)
- Private Sector: Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday in all provinces and territories except Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick.
- Public Sector: Public employees in most provinces, except those listed above, will have the day off.
Long Weekend Tip: Thanksgiving already provides a three-day weekend in provinces where it’s a statutory holiday. Employees in non-statutory provinces could take a vacation day on Friday, October 10, to extend their break into a four-day weekend
8. Christmas Day – December 25, 2025 (Thursday) & Boxing Day – December 26, 2025 (Friday)
- Private Sector: Christmas Day is a statutory holiday nationwide, and many businesses close entirely for the day. Boxing Day is a statutory holiday in Ontario and a holiday for federal employees.
- Public Sector: Government offices will be closed for both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, giving federal and Ontario employees a four-day weekend.
Long Weekend Tip: Since Christmas falls on a Thursday, employees can take advantage of a four-day weekend if they get Boxing Day off. For an even longer break, employees can take Monday, December 29, and Tuesday, December 30 off, resulting in a six-day holiday stretch (from December 25 to December 30).
Key Considerations for Employers
Employers should keep the following in mind when planning around public holidays:
Statutory Holiday Pay: Employees who work on a statutory holiday are typically entitled to holiday pay (often time-and-a-half or double time). It’s important to ensure that payroll is set up to handle this.
Vacation Planning: Encourage employees to plan their vacations early, particularly around public holidays, to avoid staffing shortages. Allowing employees to combine vacation days with statutory holidays can boost morale and minimize unplanned absences.
Public Sector Considerations: Public sector employees, including federal and provincial workers, may have additional holidays, such as Easter Monday and Boxing Day. Employers in the public sector should plan accordingly to manage workflow during these closures.
Regional Differences: Be aware of regional statutory holidays. For example, Louis Riel Day in Manitoba or Islander Day in Prince Edward Island may not apply in other parts of Canada.
FAQ: Additional Information About Public Holidays in Canada for 2025
1. What if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
Suppose a statutory holiday falls on a weekend (such as a Saturday or Sunday). In that case, provinces typically shift the holiday to either the preceding Friday or the following Monday to ensure employees get a day off.
For example:
- In 2025, Christmas Day (December 25) falls on a Thursday, and Boxing Day (December 26) on a Friday. No adjustments are needed, but if a holiday like Christmas falls on a weekend in future years, employers would adjust by providing the closest weekday off.
Employers should check provincial laws to confirm how to adjust for weekend holidays.
2. Can employers substitute holidays with other days off?
Yes, in certain provinces, employers may be allowed to substitute a statutory holiday with another day off, as long as they meet legal requirements and the employee agrees. For instance, in Alberta, employers and employees can agree to observe an alternate day instead of the statutory holiday.
Employees and employers should consult provincial labor laws before making such arrangements to ensure compliance.
3. What is the rule for holiday pay if an employee works on a public holiday?
In most provinces, employees who are required to work on a statutory holiday are entitled to premium pay (often time-and-a-half or double time) in addition to their regular wages for the day. In some cases, employers may provide the employee with a different day off (called “substitute day”) instead of premium pay, depending on the province’s regulations.
For example:
- In Ontario, employees working on a public holiday are typically paid 1.5 times their regular wage and are also entitled to a substitute day off with regular pay.
Employers should ensure they follow the appropriate provincial or territorial rules.
4. Are part-time employees entitled to statutory holiday pay?
Yes, part-time employees are generally entitled to statutory holiday pay, but the calculation may differ based on the number of hours worked. For example, in Ontario, part-time employees receive holiday pay that is calculated as the average daily wages they earned in the previous four weeks before the holiday.
Each province has its own rules for calculating statutory holiday pay for part-time workers, so employers should review local guidelines to ensure compliance.
5. Can employees be required to work on a public holiday?
In some sectors, such as retail, healthcare, and emergency services, employers may require employees to work on a public holiday. In such cases, employees are typically entitled to premium pay or compensatory time off (a different day off in place of the holiday).
However, employees in other industries may not be required to work unless there is mutual agreement. Employers should communicate expectations around holiday work schedules in advance to avoid confusion.
6. Do all provinces observe Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday?
No, Remembrance Day (November 11) is a statutory holiday in certain provinces and territories—such as Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut—but not in all provinces.
For example, in Ontario and Quebec, Remembrance Day is not a statutory holiday. While many Canadians still observe the day with ceremonies and moments of silence, employees in provinces where it is not a statutory holiday may not receive a paid day off.
7. How does Quebec handle holidays differently?
Quebec has several unique aspects when it comes to public holidays:
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24) is a statutory holiday exclusively celebrated in Quebec, marking Quebec’s national holiday.
- Victoria Day is not observed in Quebec; instead, the province celebrates National Patriots’ Day (Jour des Patriotes) on the Monday preceding May 25.
- In Quebec, employees may work on some public holidays like Good Friday and Easter Monday, but they must receive either premium pay or a substitute day off.
Employers in Quebec must adhere to the specific public holiday regulations of the province, which can differ from the rest of Canada.
8. What happens if an employee is on vacation during a public holiday?
If a statutory holiday occurs during an employee’s scheduled vacation, they are typically entitled to receive either:
- An extra day off added to their vacation, or
- Holiday pay for the statutory holiday.
This ensures that the employee does not lose out on the benefit of the statutory holiday just because it coincides with their vacation time. Provincial laws may vary slightly, so employers should confirm the rules in their region.
9. Are there any public holidays that apply only to federal employees?
Yes, certain holidays, like Easter Monday and Boxing Day, are observed by federal government employees and may not be statutory holidays for private sector employees in most provinces.
For example:
- Easter Monday is widely observed by federal public employees but not necessarily by private companies.
- Boxing Day is a statutory holiday only in Ontario but is often treated as a holiday for federal employees across Canada.
Employers should be aware of these differences when managing federal vs. private-sector operations.
Conclusion
By understanding Canada’s public holidays in 2025 and strategically planning long weekends, employees and employers can take full advantage of statutory holidays. Whether you’re in the private or public sector, careful planning around these dates ensures smoother operations and gives employees the break they deserve.