Copyright 2011, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Originally published in Blakes Bulletin on Labour & Employment, October 2011
The British Columbia provincial government announced this week that starting February 18, 2013, British Columbia will be following the lead of several other provinces by amending the Employment Standards Act to add an additional statutory holiday for Family Day in February of each year.
With the addition of Family Day to the calendar, as of 2013, British Columbia will provide 10 statutory holidays to employees: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, British Columbia Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day.
Alberta and Ontario both provide for nine official statutory days to employees, while Quebec currently provides employees with eight statutory holidays.
Alberta: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day and Christmas Day.
Ontario: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Quebec: New Year's Day, Good Friday or Easter Monday, the third Monday in May, Fête National/St. Jean Baptiste Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Many employers also offer additional statutory holidays not mandated by provincial statute.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
