How Many Working Days are There in a Year in Canada?

Whether you are a business owner or an employee in Canada, it’s important to know how many working days there are in a year. Working days and working hours are regulated by the Canada Labour Code. The average number of working days per year in Canada is 251 days. This means that the average person works about five days a week. However, this varies depending on the industry and the province.

The number of work weeks in Canada per year

The work week in Canada usually starts on Monday and ends on Friday. It consists of five working days. There are a total of 52 weeks in a year. However, the work week may vary depending on the industry and the province. In Alberta, for example, the work week is set at 44 hours, while in British Columbia, it is set at 40 hours.

In addition to general holidays, there are 104 weekend days (Saturdays and Sundays) in 2024. You should also know that 2024 is a leap year, which means there’s one more day than the usual 365.

Let’s assume you are working an 8-hour day. That would give you a little more than 2,000 working hours in a given year. Canadian provinces and territories may have their own sets of rules and regulations regarding working days. Hence, it is crucial to know the labor code and provincial laws of the province or territory where your business is located.

Overtime laws in Canada

The overtime laws are quite similar across Canada. Every employee is entitled to 1.5 times their regular wage for working overtime, and this must be paid no later than the next pay period.

The overtime hours are usually worked beyond the standard working day or week. For example, if you normally work 8 hours a day, and you work 10 hours one day, you would be working 2 hours of overtime. There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, some provinces such as Manitoba don’t compensate overtime work if you make twice the amount of the Manitoba Industrial Average Wage.

Holidays in Canada

General holiday dates may change slightly from year to year; however, their number remains relatively constant. In 2024, there are 10 paid general holidays for federally regulated employees in Canada: 

Statutory holidays are regulated by the Canadian government, and most businesses are required to give their employees a day off. Statutory holidays are also known as public holidays.

Different provinces in Canada have provincial statutory holidays in addition to national holidays. This is the main reason why the total number of working days in a year may vary depending on the province. 

For example, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Orangeman’s Day is a statutory holiday, while in other provinces, it is not. Depending on the province, statutory holidays may be referred to as general holidays or public holidays. 

Most businesses are not operating during statutory holidays, and many employees have the day off. On statutory holidays, there are usually no classes at schools and colleges, and government offices are also closed. Some businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations, may be open on statutory holidays, but they usually have reduced hours.

Who are federally regulated employees?

Federally regulated employees are those who work in businesses under federal jurisdiction. The Canada Labour Code applies to most employers and employees under federal jurisdiction, including those working in:

• banks,
• federal Crown corporations
• interprovincial and international transportation
• port service
• uranium mining
• vital businesses and operations, and many others.

If you’re not sure whether your business is under federal or provincial/territorial jurisdiction, you can check The Canada Labour Code. About 10% of Canadians are working under the federal government. 

How do Canadian provinces differ in working days?

Canada is a federal country comprising 10 provinces and 3 territories. The Constitution of Canada gives provincial legislatures the power to make laws regarding working days and hours. Therefore, the working days and hours may vary from one province to another.

Working days in Alberta

According to the Alberta Employment Standards Rules, there are 9 general (statutory) holidays in this province. In addition, there 4 optional holidays in the province.

As for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Alberta hasn’t recognized it as a general holiday yet. Easter Monday, Heritage Day, and Boxing Day are also optional holidays in the province, which means that employers can decide whether to give their employees a day off or not. Hence, there are between 248 and 252 working days in a year in Alberta, depending on the holidays granted and if it’s a leap year or not.

Working days in British Columbia

There are 11 statutory holidays in B.C. So, let’s take a look at these holidays and when they are celebrated.

Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Boxing Day are not considered statutory in B.C., but some organizations may still provide their employees with a day off. This makes between 247 and 250 working days in a year in B.C. for most employees.

Easter Monday is a bank holiday, which means that most financial institutions are closed. Federal employees also get an additional floating holiday. Grocery stores, most malls, and many businesses are open on the Easter long weekend. However, their working hours may be reduced. 

B.C. Day is unique to this province and is celebrated on the first Monday of August. Public transportation services, libraries, post offices, and government offices are usually closed on this day, but some stores and businesses remain open.

Working days in Manitoba

Manitoba has 9 general holidays. All employees in Manitoba receive holiday pay unless they are absent without having the employer’s permission.

Additionally, there are 4 optional holidays in Manitoba, including Easter Sunday, Terry Fox Day, Remembrance Day, and Boxing Day. While some employees may have a day off on optional holidays, organizations don’t have to pay for them. That gives us a total of 248-252 working days in a year in Manitoba.

Louis Riel Day commemorates the contributions of Métis leader Louis Riel to the province. Leisure centres, libraries, and government offices are usually closed on this day. Most stores, as well as malls, remain open, but their working hours may be reduced.

During Remembrance Day, most industries in Manitoba are not allowed to operate. Some exceptions include health care, public transportation, food services, retail, and others.

Retail businesses can’t be open between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Terry Fox Day is a statutory holiday in Winnipeg, so administrative offices, public libraries, and public recreational facilities are closed.

Working days in New Brunswick

Employees in New Brunswick have 8 paid public holidays. These holidays are identified by the Employment Standards Act of New Brunswick.

New Brunswick Day is celebrated on the first Monday of August. This holiday commemorates the arrival of the British settlers in the province. Most grocery and retail stores are closed on this day. However, some critical stores, such as pharmacies, remain open. Tourist attractions are usually open during the day.

Boxing Day, Victoria Day, and Thanksgiving Day are prescribed days of rest according to The Days of Rest Act, and many businesses are not allowed to be open on those days. Retail businesses are not allowed to operate unless they meet exemption criteria, such as being operated by not more than 3 people or having a liquor license. So, there are 250-253 working days in a year in New Brunswick.

Working days in Newfoundland and Labrador

This Canadian province has 14 paid holidays. So there are no more than 247 working days in a year in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Shops Closing Act prohibits retail stores from operating on public paid holidays. Hence most businesses are closed on those days.

There are exceptions for stores that sell drugs, liquor, or gasoline, stores located in hotels, airports, and hospitals. It is also interesting that The Shops Closing Act recognizes only 10 days as holidays, including:

• Easter Sunday
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day
• New Year’s Day,
• Good Friday
• Victoria Day
• Memorial Day or Canada Day

Working days in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has only 6 paid holidays. Additionally, some employees can have a day off on Remembrance Day.

Employees who work during Remembrance Day in Nova Scotia in trade, business, or profession other than farming, fishing, aquaculture, forestry or an industrial undertaking, and Christmas tree operations, are entitled to an alternative day off with pay.

In addition to 6 paid holidays, there are 3 more days when certain retail businesses are not allowed to operate, including Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Boxing Day. Also, Victoria Day and Natal Day are commonly recognized as holidays but are not paid. Considering 6 paid holidays and those 5 (unpaid) additional days, there are 250-255 working days in a year in Nova Scotia.

Working days in Ontario

The number of statutory holidays in Ontario is regulated by the Employment Standards Act of Ontario. Employees who agree to work on public paid holidays in Ontario receive premium pay in addition to public holiday pay or can have regular pay and receive a substitute holiday.

In general, most people in Ontario have 252 working days. With additional non-statutory holidays like Easter Monday for federally regulated workplaces, the number of working days drops to 248.

Working days in Prince Edward Island

According to the Employment Standards Act of Prince Edward Island, employees can enjoy 8 paid holidays in the province. Salespersons and farm labourers are not entitled to holiday pay. So, there are about 253 working days in the province.

Working days in Quebec

There are 8 statutory holidays in Quebec. Employers may choose between Good Friday and Easter Monday as a paid holiday.

There are also 2 optional holidays: Remembrance Day and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The vast majority of employees in Quebec have 253 working days, but you could also have only 251 working days if you get a day off on those 2 optional holidays.

Working days in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has 10 statutory holidays. Some employees may work on statutory holidays in Saskatchewan and receive public holiday pay. This applies to employees working in educational institutions, nursing homes, commercial hog operations, well-drilling rigs, hospitals, hotels, and restaurants. 

Saskatchewan employees working on a holiday are entitled to holiday pay of at least time and a half if they worked their regular shift on that day or a minimum of 7 hours pay if they did not work their regular shift. If an employee works on a holiday, they are entitled to either the holiday with pay or another day off with pay. So, the number of working days in the province equals 251.

Working days table by province

As mentioned before, the number of working days varies each year (leap year or not, etc.). Here is a table reflecting the usual range of working days. The most working days in a year are in Nova Scotia, with 255 working days. The fewest working days are in Newfoundland and Labrador, with 247 working days.

Of course, these numbers can change depending on the occupation and working conditions. According to the table above, the average number of working days in a month in Canada varies from 20.5 to 21.5.

Sick days, parental leave, and vacation in Canada

The working days in Canada may vary depending on the province, but most employees are entitled to 5 personal/sick days and 2 weeks of vacation. After 5 years of working for the same employer, employees are entitled to 3 weeks of vacation.

The paid vacation is regulated by the Employment Standards Act in each province. All provinces provide at least 2 weeks of paid vacation, but Saskatchewan gives 3 weeks of paid vacation.

In addition to paid vacation, most employers offer their employees holiday pay. This means that employees are paid their regular wage for working on a holiday, even if they don’t work their regular shifts. In general, holiday pay is 1/20th of the employee’s total wages for the 4 weeks prior to the holiday.

The Canadian government also offers paid parental leave for parents who have recently had or adopted a child. Parental leave is typically offered for a period of 52 weeks and is up to $650 a week.

FAQs about working days in Canada