Statutory Holidays in Ontario
Not everyone gets Easter Monday off. Below is a complete list of mandatory paid holidays in Ontario.
Ontario is one of the few provinces where [translate:Remembrance Day] is not a statutory holiday. Manitoba and Quebec also do not provide holiday pay or time off for this day.
[translate:Remembrance Day], observed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, marks the anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. At 11 a.m., a moment of silence is typically observed at schools and workplaces to honor when the armistice took effect.
While official ceremonies commemorate all Canadian Armed Forces members killed in the line of duty, Remembrance Day is considered an "optional" holiday in Ontario.
Other optional holidays include Easter Monday, Civic Day in August, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30. These days are often observed but are not legally required, so businesses may choose whether to recognize them.
Federally regulated government institutions and Crown corporations, such as Canada Post and banks, are closed on these days.
What Are Paid Public Holidays?
Paid public holidays, also known as statutory or general holidays, are days when most businesses close by law but must pay eligible employees as if it were a regular workday.
2025 Mandatory Statutory Paid Holidays in Ontario
On a statutory holiday, your employer is legally required to:
- Provide holiday pay or a substitute day off
- Ensure eligible employees are compensated
Author's summary: Ontario mandates certain paid holidays, but several commonly observed days like Remembrance Day remain optional, varying across sectors and businesses.
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