Ontario has nine public holidays under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. Most employees qualify for public holiday pay from their first day, and Ontario is one of the few provinces where Boxing Day is a statutory holiday.
Ontario statutory holidays 2026
Holidays in bold are added on top of the five observed across Canada.
Rules for employers
Who qualifies for holiday pay
• There is no minimum length of service. New employees qualify from day one.
• They don't miss all of their last scheduled shift before the holiday or their first scheduled shift after it without reasonable cause.
• If they agreed to work the holiday, they work the shift.
If an employee works on a holiday
Employees must agree in writing to work a public holiday, except in hospitals, continuous operations, hotels, restaurants and similar businesses. They then get either regular wages plus a substitute day off with public holiday pay, or public holiday pay plus 1.5× their regular rate for hours worked. The second option needs a separate written agreement.
If a holiday falls on a day off or during vacation
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee doesn't normally work, or during vacation, give a substitute day off with public holiday pay within 3 months (12 months with written agreement). With the employee's written agreement, you can pay public holiday pay instead of giving the day off. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on Saturday, December 26, so most Monday-to-Friday employees are owed a substitute day, usually Monday, December 28.
Exemptions
Special rules apply to some jobs, including certain farm workers, fishers and on-site construction workers. Most retail stores must also close on public holidays under the Retail Business Holidays Act.
How to calculate holiday pay in Ontario
Public holiday pay = (regular wages + vacation pay earned in the 4 work weeks before the holiday week) ÷ 20. Overtime and premium pay are excluded.
Example: an employee earns $25 an hour, works 8 hours a day, and earned $4,000 over 20 days in the past 4 weeks.
Hiring or running payroll in Ontario?
Borderless AI applies Ontario's holiday rules and pay calculations automatically. Hire in Ontario with our Employer of Record or run Canada payroll with Borderless AI. For other provinces, see Canadian statutory holidays by province.
Frequently asked questions
Is Civic Holiday a stat holiday in Ontario?
No. The first Monday in August is widely observed, but it isn't a public holiday under the Employment Standards Act.
How long do I have to give a substitute day?
Within 3 months of the holiday, or up to 12 months if the employee agrees in writing.
Do part-time employees get public holiday pay in Ontario?
Yes. Part-time and new employees qualify. Pay is based on their wages in the 4 work weeks before the holiday week.
