Thanksgiving Day Statutory Holiday in Ontario: Employee Guide

What is Thanksgiving Day?

Thanksgiving Day is a Canadian public holiday recognized as a time for expressing gratitude and enjoying the harvest. It is held on the second Monday in October. In Ontario, Thanksgiving Day is recognized as a statutory holiday, and most provincially and federally regulated employees get the day off work with pay.

Traditionally, families gather for a festive meal, often featuring turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. It’s also common for people to engage in outdoor activities like hiking to enjoy the autumn foliage. Many also use this long weekend to visit family and friends.

When is Thanksgiving Day?

Thanksgiving Day occurs annually on the second Monday in October.

Is Thanksgiving Day a Paid Day Off in Ontario?

Yes. Thanksgiving Day is a paid day off for most people working in Ontario, including salaried, seasonal, full-time, part-time, contract and temporary workers.

Thanksgiving Day Dates

Who is entitled to Thanksgiving Day?

Most provincially regulated employees in Ontario are eligible to take Thanksgiving Day off as a statutory holiday, according to the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Federally regulated employees working in Ontario are also entitled to the holiday under the Canada Labour Code (CLC).

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• Severance pay for federally regulated workers

Employees in continuous operations like hospitals or essential services might not get Thanksgiving Day off in Ontario.

Working on Thanksgiving Day: Pay Rights

If you work on Thanksgiving Day in Ontario, you have the right to extra pay. You can get holiday pay plus 1.5 times your usual pay, or your regular pay plus another holiday day off. It depends on your employer’s rules and policies.

• Alternative Day Off: If you work on Thanksgiving Day and choose a day off instead of extra pay, you must take this day off within 3 months of the holiday. However, you can agree in writing with your employer to take the day off within 12 months of Thanksgiving Day.

The “Last and First Rule”

In Ontario, you must work your last scheduled shift before and first shift after Thanksgiving Day to be eligible for holiday pay, unless you have a valid reason for missing work (like an illness or injury).

Calculating Thanksgiving Day Pay in Ontario

To calculate pay for Thanksgiving Day in Ontario, divide the total wages earned in the four weeks before the holiday week by 20.

Can my employer refuse to give me Thanksgiving Day off?

In Ontario, the ESA mandates that eligible employees, unless exempt due to specific reasons, are entitled to take Thanksgiving Day off with pay. If your employer denies you this statutory holiday, it’s important to seek assistance from the Ministry of Labour.

Terminations and Thanksgiving Day

If you’ve been fired without cause near Thanksgiving Day, it’s crucial to understand your rights through a consultation with an Ontario employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP immediately.

Do not accept any severance offer, termination papers, or exit agreement from your employer, even if they come with a deadline. These deadlines are pressure tactics used to push you into accepting inadequate compensation. Once you sign and return these documents, you forfeit your ability to negotiate a fair and proper severance package. A full severance package can be as much as 24 months’ pay.

Talk To an Employment Lawyer

The knowledgeable 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, we have 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.