How much you should pay or be paid for public holidays

Ontario has nine public holidays:

  1. New Year’s Day
  2. Family Day
  3. Good Friday
  4. Victoria Day
  5. Canada Day
  6. Labour Day
  7. Thanksgiving Day
  8. Christmas Day
  9. Boxing Day (December 26)

Most employees who qualify are entitled to take these days off work and be paid public holiday pay.

Alternatively, the employee can agree electronically or in writing to work on the holiday and be paid:

  • public holiday pay plus premium pay for all hours worked on the public holiday and not receive another day off (called a “substitute” holiday);
    or
  • be paid their regular wages for all hours worked on the public holiday and receive another substitute holiday for which they must be paid public holiday pay.

Public holiday pay calculator

Learn more about public holiday pay