2024 Statutory Holidays in Ontario: The Complete List
Publié le 29 January 2024
Plan your next day off from work with the complete list of 2024 statutory holidays in Ontario.
A new year means a new calendar. Looking ahead through the months to come, it’s exciting to plan out your year and start thinking about fun vacations. Statutory holidays provide you with time off and a chance to have fun and relax with friends, family and loved ones. It will also help you feel rested and recharged when you return to work, boosting your overall well-being. As statutory holidays are paid time off, you don’t even have to worry about it affecting your next paycheck. Grab your new calendar and start planning your next break from work with the 2024 statutory holidays in Ontario.
Please always check with your provincial government to confirm the exact requirements and responsibilities for employers and employees.
Here is the complete list of the 2024 Statutory Holidays (and one Civic Holiday) in Ontario:
© Jobillico – Marie-Pier Simard
- January 1 – Monday: New Year’s Day
- February 19 – Monday: Family Day
- March 29 – Friday: Good Friday
- May 20 – Monday: Victoria Day
- July 1 – Monday: Canada Day
- August 5 – Monday: Civic Holiday
- September 2 – Monday: Labour Day
- October 14 – Monday: Thanksgiving
- December 25 – Wednesday: Christmas Day
- December 26 – Thursday: Boxing Day
What Is A Statutory Holiday?
A statutory holiday is a public holiday created and mandated through legislation from federal, territorial or provincial governments. On these designated days throughout the year, many employees are entitled by law to a paid day off from work or increased compensation for working. The Canadian Federal Government mandates six statutory holidays, mean that they apply to Federal employees across the country.
Statutory holidays are public holidays mandated through legislation from federal, territorial or provincial governments. On these specific days throughout the year, many employees are legally entitled to a paid day off or increased compensation in exchange for working. The Federal Government of Canada mandates six statutory holidays, meaning that they apply across the country. Every province and territory are also responsible for creating additional statutory holidays as they deem appropriate. The province of Ontario, home to nearly 8 million workers, currently has nine statutory holidays and one additional civic holiday as of 2024.
Rethink The (Unofficial) Extra Long Weekend
When a paid 2024 statutory holiday falls on either a Friday or Monday, many people may consider calling in sick to make it a four-day weekend. However, this may not be the best idea. According to official legislation, having an unapproved absence from work on the day before or the day after a statutory holiday means you are not eligible to receive holiday pay on the stat holiday itself. This means that if you have an unapproved absence on the Friday before Labor Day, you will not be eligible to receive holiday pay on the actual statutory holiday on Monday.
What If You’re Working On A Statutory Holiday?
While the 2024 statutory holidays in Ontario are a great opportunity to relax with family and friends, there are also many people who will still be working. Private companies are still allowed to require employees to work on stat holidays. This is why servers working at restaurants will still work on the Victoria Day stat holiday, for example. However, these employees must be compensated at a premium rate by their employers.
In exchange for working on a 2024 statutory holiday, employees must be paid “time and a half.” On statutory holidays, employees are entitled to their regular pay plus an additional 50% by law. For example, an employee who earns the minimum wage of $16.55 an hour on a regular day will earn $24.82 ($16.55+$8.27) per hour for working on a 2024 statutory holiday in Ontario. Another option allowed under the law is for employees to agree to additional paid time off on regular working days in exchange for working on a stat holiday.
Additional Holidays
There are some additional days during the year which certain employers choose to offer as days off from work. It’s important to note that these are not official 2024 statutory holidays, and therefore employers are under no legal obligation to pay their employees if they are off work on these days.
April 1 – Monday: Easter Monday
Some employers give their employees Easter Monday off from work in addition to the statutory holiday on Good Friday, allowing for an extra-long weekend right around the time when the first warm days of spring arrive.
September 30 – Monday: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
First legislated in 2021, this day is meant to recognize and acknowledge the tragic legacy of Canada’s residential school system, and how it continues to harm and affect Indigenous communities today. It a time to reflect on these shameful programs and on what actions can be taken under Indigenous leadership to address these issues. A Federal statutory holiday, it is not currently an official provincial holiday in Ontario, although some employers can choose to observe.
Plan Your Holidays
Now that you know the complete list of 2024 statutory holidays in Ontario, you’re ready to plan exactly how you are going to spend them. Whether you take a trip with loved ones, catch up with friends, or just enjoy a peaceful day with family, these days off are important to your overall well-being. Grab your calendar, circle these stat holidays and get ready for some time off.
