Maple News reports that employees in Ontario can expect nine paid statutory holidays in 2025, offering several long weekends and well-deserved breaks throughout the year. While holiday entitlements vary by province and whether an employer is federally or provincially regulated, this guide focuses specifically on Ontario’s calendar.
In Canada, federally regulated workers follow the federal holiday schedule, which includes sectors like banking, telecom, and air transportation. However, most private sector workers are governed by provincial legislation, meaning Ontario’s Employment Standards Act applies to them.
Here’s the list of Ontario’s statutory holidays for 2025:
– New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1
– Family Day – Monday, February 17
– Good Friday – Friday, April 18
– Victoria Day – Monday, May 19
– Canada Day – Tuesday, July 1
– Labour Day – Monday, September 1
– Thanksgiving Day – Monday, October 13
– Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25
– Boxing Day – Friday, December 26
These nine public holidays entitle eligible employees to a paid day off. If employees are required to work on a statutory holiday, employers must follow one of two compensation rules: they must either pay public holiday pay plus a premium for hours worked, or pay regular wages for the day worked and offer a paid replacement day off.
Beyond these, Ontario also has several commonly observed—but not legally required—holidays, such as Easter Monday, Civic Holiday, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Employers may choose to grant a day off for these dates, but it is not mandatory.
Understanding your holiday entitlements is essential for both workers and employers operating in Ontario. These days not only offer a chance to rest and recharge, but also contribute to Canada’s strong reputation for work-life balance, where statutory time off plays a major role.
Maple News encourages newcomers and employees to familiarize themselves with employment standards in their province or territory to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law.