Understanding statutory holidays in Ontario is essential for both employers and employees. This guide provides a detailed overview of statutory holidays in Ontario for 2024 and 2025, including information on holiday pay, eligibility, and calculation.
What Are Stat Holidays?
Statutory holidays, often called “stat holidays,” are official public holidays recognized by the government. In Ontario, these holidays give employees time off work with pay, or sometimes, extra pay if they work on these days. Stat holidays can also be referred to as “public” or “general” holidays.
Stat Holidays Ontario 2024
Ontario observes nine statutory holidays each year. Here is a table listing these holidays for 2024:
| Stat Holiday Name | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2024 (Sunday) |
| Family Day | February 20, 2024 (Monday) |
| Good Friday | April 7, 2024 (Friday) |
| Victoria Day | May 22, 2024 (Monday) |
| Canada Day | July 1, 2024 (Saturday) |
| Labour Day | September 4, 2024 (Monday) |
| Thanksgiving Day | October 9, 2024 (Monday) |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2024 (Monday) |
| Boxing Day | December 26, 2024 (Tuesday) |
Additional non-statutory days that some employers may observe:
| Additional Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Remembrance Day | November 11, 2024 (Monday) |
| Civic Holiday | August 5, 2024 (Monday) |
Stat Holiday Pay Eligibility
To be eligible for statutory holiday pay in Ontario, employees typically need to work their last scheduled shift before the holiday and their first shift after the holiday. If they miss these shifts without a valid reason, they might not qualify for holiday pay.
How Stat Holiday Pay Is Calculated
The calculation for statutory holiday pay in Ontario is as follows:
- Base Calculation: Calculate the average regular hourly wage for the four weeks before the holiday. This amount is then multiplied by 20, and the total vacation pay for those weeks is added.
- Premium Pay: Employees who work on a statutory holiday receive premium pay. This is 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for every hour worked.
Here is a table to illustrate the calculation for a worker earning $20 per hour:
| Type of Pay | Calculation | Example Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Pay | Wage × Hours Worked | $20 × 8 hours = $160 |
| Holiday Pay | (Wage × Hours Worked + Vacation Pay) / 20 | (Wage × 8 hours + Vacation Pay) / 20 |
| Premium Pay | 1.5 × Regular Hourly Rate × Hours Worked | 1.5 × $20 × 8 hours = $240 |
Key Takeaways
Employers must ensure their employees receive the proper holiday entitlement and pay as specified by the Employment Standards Act (ESA). While some industries are exempt from statutory holidays, they must offer substitute holidays or other compensation as required by ESA.
In summary, knowing your rights and understanding how statutory holidays work can help ensure you are properly compensated for your work and time off.
FAQ’s
What are statutory holidays in Ontario?
Statutory holidays, or “stat holidays,” are official public holidays recognized by the Ontario government. Employees are entitled to time off work with pay on these days. If they work on a stat holiday, they may receive extra pay or a substitute holiday.
How many statutory holidays are there in Ontario for 2024?
In 2024, Ontario has nine statutory holidays. These include New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
How is stat holiday pay calculated in Ontario?
Stat holiday pay is calculated by multiplying the average regular hourly wage for the four weeks before the holiday by 20, and then adding vacation pay. If employees work on a statutory holiday, they receive premium pay at 1.5 times their regular rate for every hour worked.