2022 Statutory Holidays in Québec: The Complete List
Publié le 19 January 2022
The new year brings new holidays. The 2022 statutory holidays in Québec are legally mandated paid days off for workers in la belle province throughout the year. These days are opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends. Time away from the office is important because it helps us relax and refresh, allowing everyone to return to work hopefully feeling recharged. It’s never too early to plan your time away from work and start dreaming of your next adventure. Grab your calendar and get ready with the complete list of 2022 statutory holidays in Québec.
The 2022 Statutory Holidays in Québec
- January 3 – Monday: New Years Day (in lieu of January 1)
- April 15 – Friday/April 18 – Monday: Good Friday/Easter Monday
- May 23 – Monday: Journée nationale des Patriotes
- June 24 – Friday: Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (aka Fête nationale du Québec)
- July 1 – Friday: Canada Day
- September 5 – Monday: Labour Day
- October 10 – Monday: Thanksgiving
- December 26 – Monday: Boxing Day
- December 27 – Tuesday: Christmas (in lieu of December 25)
What Is A Statutory Holiday?
Statutory holidays are public holidays created through legislation passed by the federal, territorial or provincial government. On statutory holiday, many employees are legally entitled to a day off from work with pay or increased compensation for working. The Federal Government of Canada currently mandates six statutory holidays, meaning that they apply to Federal employees across all of Canada, even when the province does not recognize the holiday on a provincial level. Every province and territory is also responsible for creating additional statutory holidays which apply to provincial employees. The province of Québec, home to over 4.3 million workers, currently has nine statutory holidays.
The Newest Stat Holiday
For anyone who grew up before the 2000’s, it may be a little surprising to see Journée nationale des Patriotes (National Patriot’s Day en Anglais) appear on the list of 2022 statutory holidays in Québec. This is the new stat holiday in Québec, introduced in 2003 and replacing the May long weekend unofficially known as Fête de Dollard. The day officially commemorates the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837 aka the Guerre Des Patriotes, and aligns with the Victoria Day long weekend in Ontario.
The Québec National Holiday
June 24 marks the Fête Nationale du Québec more commonly known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. Arising from the traditional feast day of Saint Jean The Baptist and celebrated as a public holiday since 1925, it has been the official national holiday of Quebec since the mid-1970s. Occurring one week before Canada Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is extremely popular in Québec, marked by celebration, parties and fireworks. When this day falls on a weekend, employees will receive the following Monday off from work, ensuring everyone has a long weekend.
Why Does Everyone Move On July 1st?
People outside of Québec may be surprised to see all the references to July 1st as Moving Day, but it is a long tradition in the province. This is traditionally the day on which rental lease agreements expire, having evolved from earlier legal mandates governing fixed lease terms. It is so commonplace that over a quarter of a million people in Québec moved on July 1, 2019, including more than 70,000 people in the city of Montreal itself. If you are planning to move on this date, be sure to rent your moving van months in advance to avoid a headache.
What About the “Construction Holidays?”
While not officially a 2022 statutory holiday, the Construction Holiday is still a big part of the summer vacation of Quebec workers. Beginning in 1970, the Quebec provincial government entered into agreement with labour leaders in the provincial construction industry for a two week holiday at the end of July. Over the past half century, this has turned into an unofficial holiday for many outside the construction industry as well. During this two week period, 150,000 people amounting to a quarter of Quebec’s population will be on vacation. These are not statutory holidays, so there is no legal mandate for paid time off, with exact arrangements up to employers to determine.
Is September 19th A Holiday in Quebec?
The Federal Government has announced a National Day of Mourning to be held on Monday, September 19th, marking the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. It is a Federal statutory holiday, meaning the employee of the Federal government in Quebec will have the day off from work. The Quebec government has announced that they will not declare the day as an official provincial holiday. It is a regular work day for all non-Federal employees in both the public and private sectors in the province.
The Christmas and Boxing Day Flip
The official 2022 statutory holiday in Québec is December 27th, the day after Boxing Day. This is because December 25 lands on Sunday this year, and in this case the nearest weekday is a holiday in lieu of Christmas day itself. Due to the fact that Boxing Day is also a stat holiday, the day off for Christmas is now Tuesday. Christmas Day remains December 25, of course, so there is no reason to change your baking/caroling/decorating plans.
The 2022 statutory holidays in Québec are the perfect opportunities to take a relaxing break with family and friends, all while getting paid. Be sure to take advantage of these times throughout the year.
