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Is Good Friday a stat holiday in Ontario? Public Holidays and Holiday Pay (2026–2028) Explained
There are 9 statutory (public) holidays in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA):
- New Year’s Day
- Family Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Not statutory holidays in Ontario:
- Christmas Eve
- Easter Monday
- Remembrance Day
- National Day of Reconciliation
- Civic Holiday
Employees dealing with holiday pay or employment standards violations may be able to file a Ministry of Labour complaint in Ontario.
Ontario statutory (public) holidays — 2026 to 2028
| Year | Holiday | Date | Observed / substitute day (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1, 2026 | — |
| 2026 | Family Day | Mon, Feb 16, 2026 | — |
| 2026 | Good Friday | Fri, Apr 3, 2026 | — |
| 2026 | Victoria Day | Mon, May 18, 2026 | — |
| 2026 | Canada Day | Wed, Jul 1, 2026 | — |
| 2026 | Labour Day | Mon, Sep 7, 2026 | — |
| 2026 | Thanksgiving Day | Mon, Oct 12, 2026 | — |
| 2026 | Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25, 2026 | — |
| 2026 | Boxing Day | Sat, Dec 26, 2026 | Mon, Dec 28, 2026 |
| 2027 | New Year’s Day | Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | — |
| 2027 | Family Day | Mon, Feb 15, 2027 | — |
| 2027 | Good Friday | Fri, Mar 26, 2027 | — |
| 2027 | Victoria Day | Mon, May 24, 2027 | — |
| 2027 | Canada Day | Thu, Jul 1, 2027 | — |
| 2027 | Labour Day | Mon, Sep 6, 2027 | — |
| 2027 | Thanksgiving Day | Mon, Oct 11, 2027 | — |
| 2027 | Christmas Day | Sat, Dec 25, 2027 | Mon, Dec 27, 2027 |
| 2027 | Boxing Day | Sun, Dec 26, 2027 | Tue, Dec 28, 2027 |
| 2028 | New Year’s Day | Sat, Jan 1, 2028 | Mon, Jan 3, 2028 |
| 2028 | Family Day | Mon, Feb 21, 2028 | — |
| 2028 | Good Friday | Fri, Apr 14, 2028 | — |
| 2028 | Victoria Day | Mon, May 22, 2028 | — |
| 2028 | Canada Day | Sat, Jul 1, 2028 | Mon, Jul 3, 2028 |
| 2028 | Labour Day | Mon, Sep 4, 2028 | — |
| 2028 | Thanksgiving Day | Mon, Oct 9, 2028 | — |
| 2028 | Christmas Day | Mon, Dec 25, 2028 | — |
| 2028 | Boxing Day | Tue, Dec 26, 2028 | — |
Yes. Ontario is one of the few provinces where Boxing Day (December 26) is a statutory holiday under the ESA.
No. Christmas Eve is not a statutory holiday in Ontario. Employers may choose to close, but they are not legally required to provide the day off with public holiday pay.
No. Easter Monday is not a statutory holiday under Ontario’s ESA. However, some federally regulated workplaces observe it.
No. New Year’s Eve (December 31) is not a statutory holiday in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Employers are not required to provide the day off or pay time and a half unless it is contractually agreed.
Yes. Family Day (third Monday in February) is a statutory holiday in Ontario. Eligible employees are entitled to public holiday pay or premium pay if they work that day.
Yes. Good Friday is a statutory holiday in Ontario under the ESA. Employees who qualify are entitled to public holiday pay.
No. New Year’s Eve is not a statutory holiday. Employees are not automatically entitled to premium pay (time and a half) unless their employment contract or workplace policy provides otherwise.
No. The Civic Holiday (first Monday in August) is not a statutory holiday under Ontario’s ESA. Some employers choose to observe it, but it is not legally required.
In most cases, public holiday pay in Ontario is calculated as:
Total regular wages earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday ÷ 20
Eligible employees are entitled to:
- The day off with public holiday pay, OR
- 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked on the holiday, OR
- A substitute paid day off (if agreed in writing).
Eligibility rules apply, including the “Last and First Rule.”
No. Remembrance Day (November 11) is not a statutory holiday for provincially regulated employees in Ontario under the ESA. Some federally regulated workplaces observe it.
Yes. Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October) is a statutory holiday in Ontario. Eligible employees are entitled to public holiday pay or premium pay if they work.
Understanding Statutory Holiday Pay in Ontario
Most eligible employees are entitled to:
- A day off with public holiday pay, OR
- Premium pay (1.5x regular wages) if they work on the holiday, OR
- A substitute paid day off (by agreement).
How Is Public Holiday Pay Calculated?
Under the ESA, public holiday pay is generally calculated as:
Total regular wages earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday ÷ 20
Who Qualifies for Public Holiday Pay?
To qualify, employees must:
- Work their last regularly scheduled day before the holiday, AND
- Work their first regularly scheduled day after the holiday
(unless there is reasonable cause for absence).
This is known as the “Last and First Rule.”
Special Industry Rules
Certain industries operate under modified public holiday rules, including:
- Hospitality
- Restaurants and taverns
- Healthcare facilities
- Continuous operations (manufacturing, utilities)
Employers must review ESA special industry provisions to ensure compliance.
Substitute (Alternative) Holidays
A substitute holiday may be provided if:
- An employee works on a public holiday, OR
- A holiday falls during vacation
Substitute days must generally be taken within 3 months (or 12 months with written agreement).
Federal vs Provincial Holidays
Employees in federally regulated industries (banking, telecommunications, air/rail transport, postal services) follow federal public holiday rules under the Canada Labour Code.
These holidays may differ slightly from Ontario’s ESA holidays.
Holiday Pay on Termination
If employment ends before a substitute holiday is taken, any outstanding public holiday pay must be paid as part of final wages.
Failure to do so may violate the ESA.
Need Advice About Your Workplace Rights?
If you’re an employee in Ontario and have questions about your rights under the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including holiday pay, termination, or unpaid wages, the team at Achkar Law can help.
Reach out today to speak with an employment lawyer about your situation and understand your legal options.
Call Toll-free: 1-800-771-7882
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Achkar Law Professional Corporation and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Achkar Law Professional Corporation. ©