2018 Ontario Statutory Holidays Calculation

Ontario statutory holidays are days when most government offices, schools, and businesses close. These holidays are determined by provincial legislation and often follow specific calculation methods. This guide explains how to determine the 2018 Ontario statutory holidays, including fixed-date holidays and those calculated based on other dates.

List of 2018 Ontario Statutory Holidays

The following table lists all 2018 Ontario statutory holidays, including their dates and calculation methods:

Holiday Name	Date	Calculation Method
New Year's Day	January 1, 2018	Fixed date
Family Day	February 19, 2018	Third Monday in February
Good Friday	March 30, 2018	Easter-related
Easter Monday	April 2, 2018	Easter-related
Victoria Day	May 21, 2018	Monday before May 25
Canada Day	July 1, 2018	Fixed date
Civic Holiday	August 6, 2018	First Monday in August
Labour Day	September 3, 2018	First Monday in September
Thanksgiving	October 8, 2018	Second Monday in October
Christmas Day	December 25, 2018	Fixed date
Boxing Day	December 26, 2018	Fixed date

Note: Some holidays may be observed on different dates if they fall on a weekend. In such cases, the holiday is typically observed on the following Monday.

Calculation Method

Ontario statutory holidays are calculated using a combination of fixed dates and dates based on other significant dates. Here's how each holiday is determined:

Fixed Date Holidays

Some holidays, like New Year's Day, Canada Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, always fall on the same date each year.

Easter-Related Holidays

Good Friday and Easter Monday are calculated based on the date of Easter Sunday. The date of Easter Sunday is determined using the Western Christian algorithm:

Easter Sunday Calculation:

Calculate the golden year (G): (Year % 19) + 1
Calculate the epact (E): (11G + 4) % 30
Calculate the moon's age (M): (Year + Year/4 + E + 1) % 7
Calculate the base date (B): 22 + E + M
If B > 31, then Easter Sunday is April (B - 31), otherwise it's March B

Monday-Based Holidays

Holidays like Family Day, Victoria Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving are calculated as the first or third Monday in their respective months or the Monday before a specific date.

Monday Calculation:

Determine the first day of the month
Find the first Monday in the month (for first Monday holidays)
Find the third Monday in the month (for Family Day)
Find the Monday before May 25 (for Victoria Day)

Worked Examples

Let's look at two examples to understand how the holidays are calculated.

Example 1: Family Day (2018)

Family Day in 2018 is calculated as the third Monday in February. Here's how it's determined:

February 1, 2018, was a Thursday
The first Monday in February was February 5
The second Monday was February 12
The third Monday was February 19

Therefore, Family Day in 2018 was February 19.

Example 2: Victoria Day (2018)

Victoria Day in 2018 is calculated as the Monday before May 25. Here's how it's determined:

May 25, 2018, was a Friday
The Monday before May 25 is May 21

Therefore, Victoria Day in 2018 was May 21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Ontario statutory holidays the same every year?: No, some holidays like Family Day, Good Friday, and Easter Monday change dates each year because they are calculated based on other dates. Fixed-date holidays like New Year's Day and Canada Day remain the same each year.
What happens if a statutory holiday falls on a weekend?: If a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, it is typically observed on the following Monday. For example, if Victoria Day falls on a Saturday, it would be observed on the following Monday.
Are all statutory holidays observed as paid holidays?: Yes, all statutory holidays in Ontario are observed as paid holidays for most employees, including government employees, teachers, and private sector workers.
Can employers require employees to work on statutory holidays?: No, under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, employers cannot require employees to work on statutory holidays unless it is an emergency or the work is essential to the business.
Are there any additional holidays observed in Ontario?: In addition to the statutory holidays listed, some employers may observe additional holidays as paid time off, but these are not legally required.