Canada's employment standards are primarily set at the provincial and territorial level, meaning that vacation and leave entitlements can vary significantly depending on where an employee is located. While the federal government sets standards for federally regulated industries, the vast majority of workers are covered by provincial or territorial legislation. Understanding these differences is crucial for businesses operating across multiple regions in Canada to ensure compliance and fair treatment of employees.
Navigating the complexities of Canadian leave policies requires careful attention to detail. Employers must be aware of minimum vacation entitlements, statutory holidays, sick leave provisions, and parental leave benefits, as well as other types of leave that may be mandated by law or offered as part of a comprehensive benefits package. This guide provides an overview of the key aspects of vacation and leave policies across Canada as of 2025.
Annual Vacation Leave
All Canadian provinces and territories mandate a minimum amount of paid vacation time for employees. The specific entitlement usually depends on the length of continuous service with the employer. Here's a summary of minimum vacation entitlements across Canada:
| Province/Territory | Vacation Entitlement After 1 Year | Vacation Entitlement After Specified Years |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 5 years |
| British Columbia | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 5 years |
| Manitoba | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 5 years |
| New Brunswick | 2 weeks | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 15 years |
| Nova Scotia | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 8 years |
| Ontario | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 5 years |
| Prince Edward Island | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 8 years |
| Quebec | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 3 years |
| Saskatchewan | 3 weeks | 4 weeks after 10 years |
| Northwest Territories | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 5 years |
| Nunavut | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 5 years |
| Yukon | 2 weeks | 3 weeks after 5 years |
- Vacation Pay: Vacation pay is typically calculated as a percentage of the employee's gross earnings during the year. The percentage corresponds to the vacation entitlement (e.g., 4% for 2 weeks, 6% for 3 weeks).
- Scheduling: Employers generally have the right to determine when employees take their vacation, but they must consider the employee's preferences and provide reasonable notice.
- Accrual: Vacation time usually accrues throughout the year.
Public Holidays
Canada recognizes several national and provincial/territorial public holidays. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these holidays. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to premium pay (e.g., time and a half) or a substitute day off with pay.
Common public holidays across Canada include:
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Note: Some provinces and territories have additional holidays, such as Family Day (in several provinces), National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Civic Holiday (in some provinces). Eligibility requirements and specific regulations regarding holiday pay can vary.
Sick Leave
Sick leave policies vary significantly across Canada. Some provinces and territories mandate a minimum number of paid sick days, while others do not.
- Paid Sick Leave: Provinces and territories with legislated paid sick leave include:
- British Columbia: 5 days
- Quebec: 2 days
- Prince Edward Island: 3 days
- Unpaid Sick Leave: Many jurisdictions provide for unpaid sick leave, often with job protection.
- Federal Employees: Federally regulated employees are entitled to paid sick leave.
- Employer Policies: Many employers offer more generous sick leave benefits than the statutory minimum, either as paid sick days or through short-term disability plans.
Parental Leave
Parental leave provides job-protected time off for new parents to care for their child. It consists of maternity leave (for birth mothers), parental leave (available to both parents), and adoption leave (where applicable). Employment Insurance (EI) benefits are available to eligible parents during this leave.
- Maternity Leave: Only available to birth mothers.
- Duration: Varies by province/territory, typically around 15-18 weeks.
- EI Benefits: Up to 15 weeks of EI maternity benefits are available.
- Parental Leave: Available to both parents (birth parents and adoptive parents).
- Standard Parental Leave:
- Duration: Can be shared between parents, up to a maximum of around 40-69 weeks depending on the province/territory.
- EI Benefits: Paid at 55% of the employee's average weekly insurable earnings, up to a maximum.
- Extended Parental Leave:
- Duration: Can be shared, up to a maximum of around 61-78 weeks depending on the province/territory.
- EI Benefits: Paid at 33% of the employee's average weekly insurable earnings, up to a maximum.
- Standard Parental Leave:
- Adoption Leave: Available to adoptive parents. The duration and EI benefits are generally the same as parental leave.
Note: Parents can choose to take standard or extended parental leave. The total amount of EI benefits remains the same; extended leave simply spreads the payments over a longer period at a lower weekly rate.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, Canadian employment standards legislation may provide for other types of leave, such as:
- Bereavement Leave: Provides time off for employees to grieve the death of a family member. Some jurisdictions offer paid bereavement leave, while others offer unpaid leave.
- Family Responsibility Leave: Allows employees to take time off to care for sick family members or attend to other family emergencies.
- Study Leave: Some employers offer study leave to allow employees to pursue educational opportunities. This may be paid or unpaid.
- Sabbatical Leave: Longer periods of leave, often unpaid, that allow employees to pursue personal or professional development opportunities. Sabbaticals are typically offered at the employer's discretion.
- Other Leaves: Other types of leave may be available, such as leave for jury duty, voting, or citizenship ceremonies. Some provinces also have specific leaves related to domestic violence or critical illness.
