Ontario Statutory Holidays: Complete Guide for 2025-2026

This updated guide explains your rights around statutory holidays in Ontario, including 2025 and 2026 public holiday dates, stat holiday pay rules, and how terminations near a holiday affect your compensation. Whether you’re an employee or employer, here’s everything you need to know.

What’s In This Guide

What Are Statutory Holidays in Ontario?

Statutory holidays (also called public holidays) are recognized days off protected by the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Most employees in Ontario are entitled to a paid day off on these holidays – or premium pay if they work.

Employers must follow these rules, or they could face penalties.

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What Are the Statutory Holidays in Ontario in 2025 and 2026?

Here are the official Ontario stat holiday dates for the next two years:

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Is Civic Holiday a Statutory Holiday in Ontario?

No, it’s optional.

These are not official stat holidays, but some employers may recognize them:

• Easter Monday
• Civic Holiday (First Monday in August)
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30)
• Remembrance Day (Nov. 11)

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How is Statutory Holiday Pay Calculated in Ontario?

In Ontario, statutory holiday pay (stat pay) is money owed to eligible employees on public holidays — even if you don’t work that day.

To qualify, you must meet the “Last and First Rule”:

• Work your last scheduled shift before the holiday, and
• Work your first scheduled shift after the holiday

(If you miss either shift for a valid reason like illness, you may still qualify.)

How to Calculate Stat Holiday Pay

Stat holiday pay is based on your regular wages and vacation pay in the four workweeks before the holiday, divided by 20.

• Formula: Stat Holiday Pay = Total Regular Wages + Vacation Pay (last 4 weeks) ÷ 20

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What Happens if You Work on a Statutory Holiday in Ontario

If you agree to work on a stat holiday, your employer must provide one of the following:

1. Premium pay at 1.5x your regular wage (e.g., $20/hour → $30/hour), OR
2. A substitute day off with full stat holiday pay (must be in writing)

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What if I’m Fired Before or After a Statutory Holiday in Ontario?

If you’re terminated before or after a stat holiday, your employer must still pay you any earned statutory holiday pay – even if you didn’t work the day.

Many employees are owed up to 24 months’ pay in severance when they are fired without cause or dismissed for cause. Learn more on our Severance Pay in Ontario page.

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Special Rules for Certain Jobs

Different rules may apply in industries like healthcare, hospitality, emergency services, and tourism. These jobs often require working holidays – but ESA protections still apply.

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Do Federally Regulated Employees Have Different Stat Holidays?

If you work in banking, telecom, or air transport, your employer may follow federal stat holiday rules instead.

Your stat holidays include:

• Easter Monday
• Truth and Reconciliation Day
• Remembrance Day

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Key Takeaways

• Ontario has 9 official stat holidays in 2025 and 2026
• Most employees qualify for stat holiday pay or 1.5x premium pay if they work
• To be eligible, you must follow the Last and First Rule (work your last shift before and first shift after the holiday)
• Stat holiday pay is calculated using your average daily wages in the 4 weeks before the holiday
• If you’re fired before or after a holiday, you may still be owed holiday pay — plus severance pay in many cases
• Different rules may apply if you’re in a federally regulated industry (banking, telecom, airlines) or jobs with continuous operations (healthcare, tourism, hospitality)
• Always get legal advice before signing a termination package — you could be entitled to much more than your employer offers

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Talk to an Ontario Employment Lawyer

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, our Ontario employment lawyers have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized employees protect their rights and compensation — including many in the GTA who reached out to an employment lawyer Toronto workers trust for results.

We can assist with:

• Severance pay
• Wrongful dismissal
• Employment contracts
• Dismissal for cause

Our lawyers can review your situation and make sure your rights – and your pay – are fully protected.

Call 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation to get the compensation you’re owed.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Are the Statutory Holidays in Ontario in 2025?

Ontario has 9 official statutory holidays in 2025: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

How is Statutory Holiday Pay Calculated in Ontario?

Holiday pay is calculated by adding your total regular wages + vacation pay in the four workweeks before the holiday, then dividing by 20. Example: $3,000 ÷ 20 = $150 in holiday pay.

Do Part-Time or Contract Employees Get Stat Holiday Pay in Ontario?

Yes. As long as you meet the “Last and First Rule” (working your last shift before and first shift after the holiday), you qualify under Ontario’s ESA.

What Happens if I Work on a Statutory Holiday in Ontario?

If you work on a stat holiday, you must receive 1.5x your regular hourly pay or a substitute day off with full holiday pay (in writing).

What If I’m Fired Before or After a Stat Holiday in Ontario?

Your employer must still pay any earned statutory holiday pay, even if you don’t work on the holiday. In many cases, you may also be entitled to severance pay on top of holiday pay.

Is Boxing Day a Statutory Holiday in Ontario?

Yes. Ontario is the only province in Canada where Boxing Day (December 26) is an official statutory holiday.