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Public Holiday Calculation Ontario

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

Public holidays in Ontario are determined by both federal and provincial laws. This guide explains how to calculate and plan for these holidays, including fixed-date observances and those that change annually.

How to Calculate Public Holidays in Ontario

Public holidays in Ontario are established by both federal and provincial governments. The calculation involves identifying fixed-date holidays and those that change based on specific criteria.

Key Calculation Factors

  • Fixed-date holidays that occur on the same calendar date each year
  • Variable-date holidays that change based on specific criteria (e.g., Easter Monday)
  • Provincial vs. federal status of each holiday

The Ontario government provides a list of public holidays that businesses and organizations must observe. Employees are entitled to paid time off for these days.

Federal Public Holidays

Canada has nine federal public holidays that are observed across the country, including Ontario. These holidays are:

Holiday Date Notes
New Year's Day January 1 Fixed date
Family Day Third Monday in February Variable date
Good Friday Friday before Easter Sunday Variable date
Victoria Day Monday before May 25 Variable date
Canada Day July 1 Fixed date
Civic Holiday First Monday in August Variable date
Labour Day First Monday in September Variable date
Thanksgiving Second Monday in October Variable date
Remembrance Day November 11 Fixed date
Christmas Day December 25 Fixed date
Boxing Day December 26 Fixed date

Note: Some federal holidays may be observed on different dates in Ontario if they fall on a weekend. In such cases, the holiday is observed on the closest business day.

Provincial Public Holidays

Ontario has additional public holidays that are specific to the province. These include:

Holiday Date Notes
Victoria Day Monday before May 25 Same as federal holiday
Canada Day July 1 Same as federal holiday
Labour Day First Monday in September Same as federal holiday
Thanksgiving Second Monday in October Same as federal holiday
Christmas Day December 25 Same as federal holiday
Boxing Day December 26 Same as federal holiday
Islander Day Second Monday in August Provincial holiday
National Aboriginal Day June 21 Provincial holiday
Truth and Reconciliation Day September 30 Provincial holiday

These provincial holidays are in addition to the federal holidays and are observed by government employees and some private sector employers.

Examples of Public Holiday Calculations

Let's look at how to calculate public holidays for specific years:

Example 1: 2023 Public Holidays

Holiday Date
New Year's Day January 1, 2023
Family Day February 20, 2023
Good Friday April 7, 2023
Victoria Day May 22, 2023
Canada Day July 1, 2023
Civic Holiday August 7, 2023
Labour Day September 4, 2023
Thanksgiving October 9, 2023
Remembrance Day November 11, 2023
Christmas Day December 25, 2023
Boxing Day December 26, 2023

Example 2: 2024 Public Holidays

Holiday Date
New Year's Day January 1, 2024
Family Day February 19, 2024
Good Friday March 29, 2024
Victoria Day May 20, 2024
Canada Day July 1, 2024
Civic Holiday August 5, 2024
Labour Day September 2, 2024
Thanksgiving October 14, 2024
Remembrance Day November 11, 2024
Christmas Day December 25, 2024
Boxing Day December 26, 2024

Note: The dates for variable holidays may change slightly each year based on the specific criteria for calculating those dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the public holidays in Ontario?
Ontario has both federal and provincial public holidays. Federal holidays include New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Provincial holidays include Islander Day, National Aboriginal Day, and Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Are public holidays paid in Ontario?
Yes, employees in Ontario are entitled to paid time off for public holidays if they are working during the holiday period. The amount of pay depends on the employee's contract and the specific holiday.
Do public holidays change every year?
Some public holidays have fixed dates that remain the same each year, while others change annually based on specific criteria. For example, Victoria Day is always the Monday before May 25, while Family Day changes each year to fall on the third Monday in February.
Are public holidays observed on weekends?
If a public holiday falls on a weekend, it is typically observed on the closest business day. For example, if Canada Day falls on a Saturday, it may be observed on the following Monday.
Where can I find the official list of public holidays in Ontario?
The official list of public holidays in Ontario is published by the Ontario government. You can find this information on the government's website or by contacting your local human resources department.