Employment Law

Bank of Canada: Severance Packages

bank of canada, severance pay

The Bank of Canada is the central bank of Canada. Its primary mandate is to promote the economic and financial well-being of the country.

Established in 1934, the Bank of Canada operates under the Bank of Canada Act and reports to the Parliament of Canada.

Its key services include setting monetary policy, currency management, maintaining the stability of the financial system, financial research and analysis, and overseeing payment and settlement systems.

The Bank of Canada employs around 1,600 employees through its headquarters in Ottawa, as well as regional offices in Calgary, Toronto, Halifax, and Montreal.

Some common job roles include economists, financial analysts, policy advisors, researchers, bankers, statisticians, risk managers, IT professionals, and administrative staff.

Bank of Canada interest rate decisions

The following is a recent history of interest rate decisions announced by the Bank of Canada:

2025

Date New Rate % Change Details Link
December 10, 2025
October 29, 2025
September 17, 2025
July 30, 2025
June 4, 2025
April 16, 2025
March 12, 2025
January 29, 2025

2024

Date New Rate % Change Details Link
December 11, 2024 3.25% -0.50% More info
October 23, 2024 3.75% -0.50% More info
September 4, 2024 4.25% -0.25% More info
July 24, 2024 4.50% -0.25% More info
June 5, 2024 4.75% -0.25% More info
April 10, 2024 5.00% No Change More info
March 6, 2024 5.00% No Change
January 24, 2024 5.00% No Change

2023

Date New Rate % Change
December 6, 2023 5.00% No Change
October 25, 2023 5.00% No Change
September 6, 2023 5.00% No Change
July 12, 2023 5.00% 0.25%
June 7, 2023 4.75% 0.25%
April 12, 2023 4.50% No Change
March 8, 2023 4.50% No Change
January 25, 2023 4.50% 0.25%

Severance for Bank of Canada employees

In Canada, non-unionized employees at the Bank of Canada may get up to 24 months of severance pay when they are fired or laid off from their job. This applies to individuals working in any capacity—full-time, part-time, or hourly—in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Severance is the compensation provided to non-unionized workers in Canada by their employer when they are terminated without cause.

Even if an employee is fired for cause, they may still be eligible for full severance pay. This is due to the high standards required to legally justify for-cause dismissal.

LEARN MORE
Severance for provincially regulated employees
Severance packages in mass layoffs

The right to severance pay is consistent regardless of economic conditions, company downsizing, business closures, or significant public health events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains everything you need to know about severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.


The employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP have represented tens of thousands of employees, including those in the banking industry, over the years in severance package negotiations.

We have successfully secured much larger amounts for individuals employed across a variety of positions, from entry level jobs to executives.

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How to properly calculate severance pay

There is a general belief that severance is one week’s pay, two weeks’ pay, or a week for every year of service an employee has with a company.

The reality is that severance for non-unionized employees in Canada is calculated using a variety of factors, including age, length of service, position, bonuses, benefits, your employment contract, and your ability to find new work.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Severance Pay in Ontario
• Alberta severance packages
• Understanding severance in B.C.
Layoffs in Canada

Before accepting a severance offer, double-check the amount using our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their entitlements.

If your employer’s offer falls short of what our Severance Pay Calculator says you are owed, it’s very likely that you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Don’t sign on the dotted line!

Do not accept any severance offer, termination papers, or exit agreement that you receive. Once you sign back these documents, you eliminate your ability to negotiate additional severance pay.

Non-unionized employees in Canada have up to two years from the date of their dismissal to pursue proper severance pay. An employer’s deadline to sign back a severance offer is not legally enforceable or binding.

Generally speaking, if an employee does not receive the proper amount of severance pay when they lose their job, they may be considered to have been wrongfully dismissed. An employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can analyze your situation and explain how much compensation you may be owed.

Talk to an employment lawyer

The experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals across the country. In addition to severance package negotiations, our team has experience securing solutions for the following employment matters:



 

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. stand ready to help you solve your workplace issues.

If you are a non-unionized employee who needs help with an employment issue, contact us or call 1-855-821-5900 to get the advice you need, and the compensation you deserve.

Get What You're Owed

Our employment lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. are ready to provide you with the advice you need and the compensation you deserve

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Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and should not be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.

Advice You Need. Compensation You Deserve.

Consult with Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. We are one of Canada's most experienced and trusted employment, labour and disability law firms. Take advantage of our years of experience and success in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.

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