Working Days in a Year in Canada (All Provinces and Territories)

May 16, 2024

Working Days in a Year in Canada (All Provinces and Territories)

On average, there are about 251 working days in a year in Canada, but this number can change depending on factors like public holidays, provincial and territorial regulations, and industry-specific requirements.

Public holidays (also called statutory or general holidays) in Canada reduce the total working days in a year, but the specific dates recognized differ across provinces. For example: Family Day and Boxing Day are observed in Ontario, but not in Quebec.

In addition to this, various sectors like healthcare and emergency personnel often work on rotating or extended shifts that don’t follow standard workweeks. Businesses and employees need to stay informed about these variations to manage work schedules and comply with provincial laws.

How To Calculate The Number Of Working Days In A Year?

→ In a non-leap year, there are typically 260 working days before holidays are taken into account. This is calculated by multiplying 52 weeks by 5 working days per week, which gives 260.
→ In a leap year like 2024, there is one extra day, so the total number of working days increases to 261.

Here’s a comprehensive list of the number of working days for each Canadian province in 2024 and their special considerations for holidays:

How Many Working Days In A Year For Federal Employees?

There are 250 working days in a year for federal employees, with 11 paid holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Easter Monday (April 1)
→ Victoria Day or National Patriot’s Day (Monday before May 25)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ Labour Day (1st Monday in September)
→ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
→ Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)
→ Boxing Day (December 26)

Source: Statutory holiday pay | canada.ca

Special Considerations for Federal Employees

The inclusion of a provincial or civic holiday, in addition to the above list, depends on the specific location of employment and varies across Canada.
Employees working in federally regulated private sectors are also entitled to paid days off on the above dates except Easter Monday.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Ontario?

There are 252 working days in a year in Ontario, with 9 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Family Day (Third Monday in February)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Victoria Day (May 20)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ Thanksgiving (October 14)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)
→ Boxing Day (December 26)

Source: Public holidays | ontario.ca

Special Considerations for Ontario

Civic Holiday (First Monday in August) is not a statutory holiday in Ontario but is observed as an optional holiday in many municipalities.

Easter Monday (April 1), National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30), and Remembrance Day (November 11) are primarily observed by federal government employees. Some businesses may choose to close, but it’s not mandatory under Ontario law.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Quebec?

There are 253 working days in a year in Quebec, with 8 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Good Friday (March 29) or Easter Monday (April 1) (employer’s choice)
→ National Patriots’ Day (Monday before May 25)
→ Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24)
→ Canada Day (July 1 or July 2 if July 1 is a Sunday)
→ Labour Day (1st Monday in September)
→ Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: Public Holidays | educaloi.qc.ca

Special Considerations for Quebec

Employers can choose to observe either Good Friday or Easter Monday.
Remembrance Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are not considered statutory holidays in Quebec, but are applicable to employees protected by the Canada Labour Code.

Additionally, Quebec has a two-week long Construction Holiday for those in the construction industry.

How Many Working Days In A Year In British Columbia?

There are 251 working days in a year in British Columbia, with 10 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Family Day (Third Monday in February)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Victoria Day (May 20)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ B.C. Day (First Monday in August)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
→ Thanksgiving (October 14)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: Statutory holidays | gov.bc.ca

Special Considerations for British Columbia

Easter Sunday (March 31), Easter Monday (April 1), and Boxing Day (December 26) are not considered statutory holidays in BC but are recognized as paid holidays by BC Public Service.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Alberta?

There are 252 working days in a year in Alberta, with 9 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Alberta Family Day (Third Monday in February)
→ Good Friday (Friday before Easter)
→ Victoria Day (Monday before May 25)
→ Canada Day (July 1, or July 2 when July 1 is a Sunday)
→ Labour Day (First Monday in September)
→ Thanksgiving Day (Second Monday in October)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: General holidays | alberta.ca

Special Considerations for Alberta

The following holidays are federally recognized statutory holidays, but not provincially in Alberta.

Private sector employers in Alberta are not required to treat them as paid holidays unless they choose to do so voluntarily or include it in an employment contract.

However, federally regulated sectors treat these dates as paid holidays.

Easter Monday (First Monday following Easter)
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
Boxing Day (December 26)
Heritage Day (First Monday in August) is a civic holiday observed in Alberta, but not recognized as a statutory holiday. Thus, employers are not required to observe it as a paid holiday.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Manitoba?

There are 252 working days in a year in Manitoba, with 9 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Louis Riel Day (Third Monday in February)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Victoria Day (May 20)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ Orange Shirt Day or National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
→ Thanksgiving (October 14)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: General Holidays | gov.mb.ca

Special Considerations for Manitoba

Easter Sunday, Terry Fox Day, and Boxing Day are not statutory holidays in Manitoba. Employers are not required to provide holiday pay if employees do not work on these days.

Remembrance Day is not considered a statutory holiday, but there are special restrictions for businesses operating on this day. Employees who work may have specific pay requirements under Manitoba law.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Saskatchewan?

There are 251 working days in a year in Saskatchewan, with 10 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Family Day (February 19)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Victoria Day (May 20)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ Saskatchewan Day (August 5)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ Thanksgiving Day (October 14)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: Public Holidays | saskatchewan.ca

Special Considerations for Saskatchewan

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) is a statutory holiday for employees in federally regulated workplaces but is not required to be observed by provincially regulated employers.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Nova Scotia?

There are 255 working days in a year in Nova Scotia, with 6 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Nova Scotia Heritage Day (February 19)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: Public Holidays | novascotia.ca

Special Considerations for Nova Scotia

Some employees may receive a benefit if required to work on Remembrance Day (November 11), based on the Remembrance Day Act.

Easter Monday (April 1), Victoria Day (May 20), and Natal Day (August 5) are often treated as holidays but are not part of the official paid public holidays under the Labour Standards Code. However, employers may opt to provide additional paid days off.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Newfoundland and Labrador?

There are 255 working days in Newfoundland and Labrador, with 6 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Memorial Day (Canada Day) (July 1)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: Public Holidays | gov.nl.ca

Special Considerations for Newfoundland and Labrador

In addition to the 6 public holidays, there are certain holidays under the Shops Closing Act for most businesses, such as Easter Sunday (March 31), Victoria Day (May 20), Thanksgiving Day (October 14), and Boxing Day (December 26). These holidays require most shops to remain closed unless they fall under exemptions.

Municipalities may observe Regatta Day as a civic holiday, particularly in St. John’s and Harbour Grace.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Prince Edward Island?

There are 253 working days in a year in Prince Edward Island, with 8 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Islander Day (Third Monday of February)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: Paid holidays | princeedwardisland.ca

Special Considerations for Prince Edward Island

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) is a statutory holiday for employees in federally regulated workplaces but is not mandatory for provincially regulated employers.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Yukon?

There are 251 working days in a year in Yukon, with 10 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Victoria Day (May 20)
→ National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ Discovery Day (August 19)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
→ Thanksgiving Day (October 14)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: 2024 statutory holidays | yukon.ca

Special Considerations for Yukon

Days such as Heritage Day (February 23), Easter Monday (April 1), and Boxing Day (December 26) are not considered statutory holidays in Yukon, but employers may choose to include these days as paid holidays in their employment contracts.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Northwest Territories?

There are 250 working days in a year in the Northwest Territories, with 11 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Victoria Day (May 20)
→ National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ 1st Monday in August
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
→ Thanksgiving Day (October 14)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: Statutory Holidays | ece.gov.nt.ca

Special Considerations for Northwest Territories

The National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) is unique to the Northwest Territories and celebrates the culture and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

How Many Working Days In A Year In Nunavut?

There are 251 working days in a year in Nunavut, with 10 public holidays:

→ New Year’s Day (January 1)
→ Good Friday (March 29)
→ Victoria Day (May 20)
→ Canada Day (July 1)
→ Nunavut Day (July 9)
→ Labour Day (September 2)
→ Thanksgiving Day (October 14)
→ Remembrance Day (November 11)
→ Christmas Day (December 25)

Source: General Holidays | nu-lsco.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Work Days In A Year Including Holidays?

There are typically 260 workdays in a year based on a standard calendar year of 365 days. You’ll get this figure by subtracting 104 weekend days (52 weeks multiplied by 2 days) from 365 days.

If it’s a leap year, like 2024, then there would be a total of 261 workdays including holidays. Knowing this is particularly helpful for employees who are required to work on holidays.

Can Employers Require Work on Public Holidays?

Yes, employers in Canada can require employees to work on public holidays, but the rules vary by province and territory. They are usually entitled to either holiday pay, which includes regular wages plus an additional premium, or a substitute day off, where they get another day off with regular pay in place of the holiday they worked.

Employees and employers should refer to their specific provincial or territorial labor standards to ensure they are following the applicable regulations.