Manitoba Statutory Holidays: 2025-26 Comprehensive Guide

Wondering about statutory holidays in Manitoba?

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Manitoba’s statutory holidays, including dates, holiday pay rules, and eligibility requirements. Whether you’re a non-unionized employee or employer, we’ve got you covered with clear and simple answers to common questions about public holidays in Manitoba.

Manitoba Statutory Holidays: What Are They and When Are They?

Manitoba recognizes 9 statutory holidays, officially referred to as general holidays under the Employment Standards Code (ESC). These are days when most provincially regulated employees are entitled to a day off with holiday pay. If an employee works on a statutory holiday, they must receive premium pay or an alternate day off with pay.

Here’s the full list of Manitoba statutory holidays and their dates for 2024–2026:

Optional Holidays

Some employers in Manitoba may also observe optional holidays like Easter Monday or other religious and cultural holidays, but these are not considered official statutory holidays under B.C.’s ESC.

• Easter Monday: Day after Easter Sunday
• Terry Fox Day: First Monday in August
• Remembrance Day: Every November 11
• Boxing Day: Every December 26

Statutory Holiday Pay Rules in Manitoba: How It Works

Provincially regulated employees in Manitoba are entitled to statutory holiday pay, also referred to as general holiday pay. Here are the rules and calculations that apply:

How is statutory holiday pay calculated?

1. For employees with consistent hours:
Employees who work the same number of hours every day get one regular workday’s pay as statutory holiday pay.

• Example: An employee who works 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, will receive their regular wages for 8 hours. 

2. For employees with varying hours or wages:
Employees whose hours or wages vary are entitled to 5% of their gross wages (excluding overtime) earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday.

• Example: An employee who earned $1,200 in the 4 weeks before the holiday would receive $60 as statutory holiday pay.
  • Calculation: $1,200 × 5% = $60.

3. Construction industry exception:
Employees in the construction industry are entitled to 4% of their gross earnings as holiday pay, often paid on every paycheck instead of on the holiday itself.

Do employees qualify for statutory holiday pay immediately?

Yes. Employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay regardless of how long they’ve worked for an employer. For example, an employee hired the day before the holiday would still receive holiday pay equal to 5% of the wages earned on that day.

What if an employee works on a statutory holiday?

Employees who work on a statutory holiday are entitled to 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for hours worked that day, in addition to their statutory holiday pay.

• Example: An employee working 8 hours on a holiday at $20/hour will earn:
  • Statutory holiday pay: $20 × 8 = $160.
  • Holiday premium pay: $20 × 1.5 × 8 = $240.
  • Total earnings: $160 + $240 = $400.

Exceptions for certain industries

Employers in specific industries, such as gas stations, hospitals, restaurants, or hotels, may offer a day off with statutory holiday pay instead of paying 1.5x wages for hours worked. The substitute day off must be provided:

• Within 30 days of the holiday, or
• At a mutually agreed time before the employee’s next annual vacation.

What if the holiday falls on a weekend or a non-working day?

• If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday (and the employee does not normally work weekends), the employee must receive the next regular workday off with statutory holiday pay.
• If the holiday falls on a weekday that the employee doesn’t usually work, the employer must provide a substitute workday off with statutory holiday pay.

How is holiday pay calculated for employees earning incentive pay?

Incentive pay includes commission-based pay, flat-rate mechanics, and pieceworkers. Here’s how it works:

1. General holiday pay: Incentive-paid employees are entitled to 5% of the total wages (including incentive pay) earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday.
2. Work on a statutory holiday: If the employee works on the holiday, they are entitled to 1.5x their hourly rate for hours worked, in addition to general holiday pay.
   • Example: A commission salesperson earned $800 in the week before the holiday, worked 32 hours, and also worked 8 hours on the holiday:
     • Hourly wage = $800 ÷ 40 hours = $20/hour.
     • Holiday pay = $800 × 5% = $40.
     • Premium pay = $20 × 1.5 × 8 hours = $240.
     • Total earnings: $800 (regular) + $40 (holiday pay) + $240 (holiday work pay) = $1,080.

Do All Employees Receive Statutory Holiday Pay?

Most employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay, but there are exceptions:

• Employees who miss their last scheduled workday before or first scheduled workday after the holiday without the employer’s permission.
• Employees who are scheduled to work on the holiday but are absent without permission.
• Election officials, enumerators, and other temporary workers appointed under The Elections Act are not entitled to statutory holiday pay.

How we can help

While Samfiru Tumarkin LLP does NOT handle employment matters in Manitoba (terminations, severance pay, human rights claims), our team does regularly handle short-term and long-term disability claims across Manitoba.

Our disability lawyers also have extensive experience with life insurance, critical illness, and mortgage insurance claims and denials in all Canadian provinces (excluding Quebec).