Statutory Holidays in Ontario in 2024

The following holidays are observed in addition to the national holidays in Canada: Family Day, Victoria Day, Civic Holiday, Thanksgiving and Boxing Day.

Remembrance Day is not a statutory holiday in Ontario, making it the most controversial non-stat holiday in the province. Many people think that is should be a statutory holiday all across Canada.

You can also find details about long weekends in Ontario and elsewhere in the country.

New as of September 30, 2021 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation holiday for federally regulated employees.

Civic Holiday on the first Monday of August is an optional holiday - provincially regulated employers are not required by law to give this day off. Most retail stores are open on the civic holiday across the province.

Holiday tip: If you live in or near Toronto be sure to visit High Park - it's a truly beautiful park in the heart of Toronto, especially near the beginning of May when blossoming cherry trees attract large crowds. Another great place to visit is the Toronto Islands, a popular long weekend and holiday destination for many families. Yet antother great park is in nearby Brampton: Chinguacousy Park a great destination for relaxation and entertainment including a small ski hill and snowtubing plus several other sports facilities.

Ontario is the only province where Boxing Day is a provincial statutory holiday.

In Ontario retail stores aren't permitted to be open on Easter Sunday. Certain exceptions apply but for the most part retail stores will be closed.

Below is a list of holidays in Ontario and dates when they are observed in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Holiday 2024 2025 2026
New Year's Day
January 1
Mon, January 1 Wed, January 1 Thu, January 1
Ontario Family Day
Third Monday in February
Mon, February 19 Mon, February 17 Mon, February 16
Good Friday
Friday before Easter Sunday
Fri, March 29 Fri, April 18 Fri, April 3
Easter Monday *
Federally regulated workplaces only
Mon, April 1 Mon, April 21 Mon, April 6
Victoria Day
Monday before May 25
Mon, May 20 Mon, May 19 Mon, May 18
Canada Day
July 1
Mon, July 1 Tue, July 1 Wed, July 1
Civic Holiday
First Monday in August
Mon, August 5 Mon, August 4 Mon, August 3
Labour Day
First Monday in September
Mon, September 2 Mon, September 1 Mon, September 7
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation *
Federally regulated workplaces only
Mon, September 30 Tue, September 30 Wed, September 30
Thanksgiving
Second Monday in October
Mon, October 14 Mon, October 13 Mon, October 12
Remembrance Day
Not a stat holiday in Ontario
November 11
Mon, November 11 Tue, November 11 Wed, November 11
Christmas Day
December 25
Wed, December 25 Thu, December 25 Fri, December 25
Boxing Day *
December 26
Thu, December 26 Fri, December 26 Sat, December 26

* Only federal employers are required to give the day off.

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Recent comments
Posted by Bob:

Why do government workers get more days off then non government workers? Is the common taxpayer any less important or have a seemingly less work ethic? There is no right answer nor is it right. Recognize everyone equally. We all pay taxes.

Posted by Tina:

Working days should be four only in a week.

Posted by Tazz:

"GDP per head is 25% higher than France's, customer service is France non existent, and everything in France is much more expensive. Thanks for forcing poverty on people." Utter nonsense. Canada is 2 times more expensive while salaries are half of what you get in France. I lived in both countries.

Posted by Russ :

Tax payers should have no less holidays and benefits then government workers

Posted by Tira:

Janet Smith - You don't understand how stat holiday pay works, full time employees get the full paid days off. A person who only works 8 hours a week would get about 1.5 hours stat pay. And a premium if they work on the actual holiday

Posted by Ravinder Singh:

No. of holidays should be increased so that at least one holiday should be there in every month. With the kind of workload, it is necessary to give relief to employees.

Posted by Lois:

Public sector employees and federal employees appear to get more paid holidays than everyone else, including the taxpayers.

Posted by Cardin Michel:

"In France everyone is forced to take 7 weeks of holidays per year.", yeah, that's probably why Canada's GDP per head is 25% higher than France's, customer service is France non existent, and everything in France is much more expensive. Thanks for forcing poverty on people.

Posted by Sam:

Stat pay should be covered by government not small businesses. Not only businesses lose money by not being open and lack of sales but also required to pay hefty pay for all staff even when closed. when will this country wake up and start supporting businesses and big industries? More businesses means more jobs and healthy economy.

Posted by Michel Cardin:

In France everyone is forced to take 7 weeks of holidays per year.

Posted by Frank:

Remembrance Day should be a statutory holiday. if your treat it as a joke, so will the people.

Posted by Janetta:

I agree with the post of Adair that Remembrance Day should be a Statutory Holiday as its a day that we all should thank all the men who sacrificed their lives so that we could live in peace in our Country