Canada Statutory Holidays 2026 — Dates, Long Weekends

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Canada Statutory Holidays 2026 — Dates, Long Weekends
Canada Statutory Holidays 2026 — Dates, Long Weekends

Canada’s 2026 Statutory Holidays & Long-Weekend Planner — Quick, Practical Guide

At a glance: If you need one page to plan 2026 vacations, work deadlines, or immigration appointments, this is it. Below you’ll find the confirmed 2026 statutory holiday dates (federal and common Canada-wide), the long-weekend planner, province/territory notes, and short FAQs you can ask by voice search.

Quick country header

Canada — note: statutory holiday rules differ by province/territory and by whether you work for a federally regulated employer. Always confirm with your employer or pay-roll department.

Core Canada-wide dates to plan around (2026)

These are the backbone dates most people use for travel and time-off planning in 2026:

  • New Year’s Day: Thu, January 1, 2026.
  • Family Day cluster (varies by province): Mon, February 16, 2026.
  • Good Friday: Fri, April 3, 2026.
  • Victoria Day / National Patriots’ Day (QC): Mon, May 18, 2026.
  • Canada Day: Wed, July 1, 2026.
  • First Monday in August (various names): Mon, August 3, 2026.
  • Labour Day: Mon, September 7, 2026.
  • National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Wed, September 30, 2026 (statutory in some jurisdictions).
  • Thanksgiving: Mon, October 12, 2026.
  • Remembrance Day: Wed, November 11, 2026 (statutory in some jurisdictions).
  • Christmas Day: Fri, December 25, 2026.
  • Boxing Day: Sat, December 26, 2026 (statutory for federally regulated workplaces; substitution rules may apply).

Practical note: a “statutory holiday” means a paid holiday under employment standards. Some days (e.g., Easter Monday) are commonly observed by some employers but are not statutory across the board.

Long-weekend planner — easiest stretches to book now

  • Feb 16 (Mon) — Family Day / province-specific names → three-day weekend in most provinces.
  • Apr 3 (Fri) — Good Friday → three-day Easter weekend for most Canadians.
  • May 18 (Mon) — Victoria Day / Patriots’ Day → widely observed long weekend.
  • Aug 3 (Mon) — Civic/B.C./Sask./N.B. Day → long weekend in several provinces (varies).
  • Sep 7 (Mon) — Labour Day → nationwide long weekend.
  • Oct 12 (Mon) — Thanksgiving → typical three-day weekend.
  • Dec 25–28 — Christmas & Boxing Day: with Boxing Day substitution rules, many workplaces get a four-day or longer holiday block.

Tip: If a midweek holiday bugs you (e.g., Canada Day on Wed July 1), adding two vacation days around it can create a five-day break — an effective way to maximize paid time off.

Federal (federally regulated workplaces) holidays — exact 2026 list

If you work in a federally regulated industry (banks, interprovincial transport, telecom), these are the 10 paid general holidays under the Canada Labour Code in 2026: Jan 1, Apr 3, May 18, Jul 1, Sep 7, Sep 30, Oct 12, Nov 11, Dec 25, Dec 26 (with substitution rules). Confirm with payroll how a weekend holiday is substituted.

Provincial & territorial highlights (what usually differs)

Statutory holidays vary. Here are the key jurisdictional differences to watch (pick your province and double-check with local standards):

  • Ontario: Family Day = Feb 16; Remembrance Day is not a required statutory holiday in Ontario (check employer policy).
  • British Columbia: Family Day observed Feb 16; B.C. Day = Aug 3.
  • Quebec: National Patriots’ Day (May 18) replaces Victoria Day in practice; Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24) is Quebec’s major summer holiday (midweek in 2026).
  • Alberta: Alberta Family Day Feb 16; Heritage Day (first Monday in August) may be optional depending on employer.
  • Territories and smaller provinces (Yukon, Nunavut, N.B., P.E.I., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia) each have slightly different statutory lists and sometimes call the Feb long weekend by different names (e.g., Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, Nova Scotia Heritage Day). Confirm locally.

Use this section to check locally — if your move, immigration appointment, or interview depends on an office being open, cross-reference with the provincial government calendar.

How to use holidays for smarter immigration & travel planning

  • Book biometrics / IRCC appointments early. Holidays and long weekends reduce available dates; booking windows fill quickly around long weekends.
  • Avoid filing deadline surprises. Tax and court deadlines sometimes shift around public holidays — check CRA and provincial filing calendars before scheduling urgent paperwork.
  • Stretch holiday time with 1–2 vacation days. Midweek holidays (like Canada Day) are opportunities to create longer breaks without burning many vacation days.

FAQs

Q: When is Family Day in Canada 2026?
A: The commonly observed Family Day (or regional equivalent) falls on Monday, February 16, 2026 in most provinces.

Q: Is Remembrance Day a statutory holiday in Ontario 2026?
A: No — Remembrance Day (Nov 11) is not a required statutory holiday in Ontario for most provincially regulated employees, though it is observed federally and in some other provinces.

Q: Can I expect a day off for Truth and Reconciliation Day in 2026?
A: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 is a federal general holiday, but provincial coverage varies — some provinces and employers recognize it as statutory, others do not. Check your employer.

Q: What happens when Boxing Day falls on a Saturday in 2026?
A: For federally regulated employees Boxing Day (Dec 26) has substitution rules — when it falls on a weekend the paid day off is moved to the nearest working day, often creating a four-day break around Christmas. Provincially, rules differ by jurisdiction.

Quick printable checklist (one-page action items)

  • Mark the dates above in your calendar.
  • Book IRCC and biometrics slots at least 6–8 weeks ahead of travel or deadlines spanning long weekends.
  • Confirm employer holiday policy for provincially variable days (e.g., Aug Civic Day, Remembrance Day).
  • Use 1–2 vacation days around midweek holidays to create a longer break — plan early.
  • If you’re scheduling official appointments, always check provincial government and federal closures before booking.

Final note & help from a licensed consultant

Holiday calendars are simple to read but messy in practice — different rules apply by employer, collective agreement, and whether you’re federally or provincially regulated. If you’re planning critical immigration steps (appointments, interviews, biometrics, travel), a quick pre-planning call will save time and stress.

For help coordinating immigration deadlines with holiday closures, contact GFK Immigration Inc — our RCIC-led team can review timelines, book checks, and make sure you never miss a crucial window.

Call: +1 (647) 225-0092
Web: gfkimmigrationconsultant.com
Location: Oakville, ON — Serving clients globally

 

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