Public holidays and long weekends in Ontario

Newcomers often notice that:

• Many holidays fall on a Monday, creating long weekends that people plan trips and family time around, such as Victoria Day in May, Labour Day in September and Thanksgiving in October.
• Thanksgiving is in October in Canada, not November as in the United States.
• Not every "holiday" is a day off for everyone. The Civic Holiday in August, Easter Monday and Remembrance Day are not public holidays under Ontario's Employment Standards Act, so whether you have the day off depends on your employer.
• Workplaces in federally regulated industries, such as banks and airlines, follow a different, federal list.

Under Ontario's Employment Standards Act, the nine public holidays are New Year's Day, Family Day (February), Good Friday, Victoria Day (May), Canada Day (July 1), Labour Day (September), Thanksgiving Day (October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day (December 26). Most employees get these days off with public holiday pay, or are paid a premium if they have to work.

The Civic Holiday on the first Monday of August is widely observed, but it is not an ESA public holiday: employers may give it, and many do, but the Act does not require it. The same applies to Easter Monday and Remembrance Day (November 11).

Practice varies by employer and sector. Schools follow their board's calendar, which includes additional breaks such as a winter break and a March break. Shops, restaurants and transit operate on reduced or changed schedules on some holidays, and opening hours vary by business, so check before you travel or shop.