Client Update: Isn’t Canada Day always on July 1? (updated)
Grant Machum and Sheila Mecking
While most people think Canada Day is on July 1st, once every 6 years, July 1st falls on a Sunday. When that happens, according to federal legislation, Canada Day is legally observed on July 2nd.
The Holidays Act is a federal legislation that provides for three specific holidays to be observed nationally; Remembrance Day, Victoria Day, and Canada Day. The Act provides that Canada Day is to be observed on July 1st, except if it falls on a Sunday. In that case, Canada Day is observed as a legal holiday on July 2nd.
Why does this matter?
July 1st, 2018 falls on a Sunday.
Employment standards legislation in each Atlantic Province outlines how employees are to be compensated on public holidays. In Nova Scotia (who has recently amended the regulations under their employment standards legislation), and Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Day is observed on July 1st, regardless of what day of the week it is.
In New Brunswick and on Prince Edward Island, employment standards legislation does not designate a specific date for Canada Day, which means that when Canada Day falls on a Sunday, it will be observed on July 2nd, in accordance with the Holidays Act.
What observing Canada Day on July 2nd means for employers
- When Canada Day is observed on July 2nd, July 1st is to be treated the same as any other Sunday would be treated.
- Provincial employment standards legislation that outlines time off and compensation for Canada Day applies for July 2nd.
What must employers pay their employees who work on a public holiday?
- Although most retail businesses are required to be closed on public holidays, the legislation exempts some businesses; therefore, some employees are asked to work on public holidays.
- When paying employees who work on a public holiday, check your employment standards legislation which differ from province to province with respect to pay and/or a substitute paid day off.
Archive
Richard Jordan Is a worker under a contract “of” service or contract “for” service? The former means a worker is an employee whereas the latter means a worker is an independent contractor. The answer to…
Read MoreKevin Landry and William Wojcik In September 2020 the Supreme Court of Canada heard Reference re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, 2021 SCC 11, a case featuring appeals from Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta with respect to…
Read MoreChristopher Marr, TEP and David Slipp Effective March 1, 2021 in all provinces of Canada, other than Ontario and Quebec (to be effective there on July 1, 2021), securities laws related to the distribution of…
Read MoreKevin Landry and Emily Murray On March 8, 2021, Health Canada released draft guidance on personal production of cannabis for medical purposes (“Guidance Document”). At present, the Guidance Document is being circulated for public comment for…
Read MoreJennifer Taylor The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia has finally provided clarity on the limitation period for third party claims, in Sears v Top O’ the Mountain Apartments Limited, 2021 NSSC 80. This is…
Read MoreBrendan Sheridan Canada has continually claimed to be one of the countries with the toughest COVID-19 related travel and quarantine requirements. In response to the new COVID-19 variants emerging in the UK and South Africa,…
Read MoreDante Manna As of today, Newfoundland and Labrador has joined several other jurisdictions with financial hardship unlocking provisions. While the new provisions do not allow direct unlocking from pension plans, and unlocking is not available…
Read MoreNancy Rubin, QC Nova Scotia has taken a big step forward in recognizing the tort of publication of private facts. The case, Racki v Racki, 2021 NSSC 46 comes hot on the heels of Ontario’s…
Read MoreKathleen Leighton Canada is committed to developing Francophone minority communities in the country (outside of Quebec). In furtherance of this goal, there are a number of immigration initiatives in place to attract French speakers. By…
Read MoreAndrew Burke and Divya Subramanian The year 2020 was nothing short of unusual. With COVID-19 impacting every aspect of business and life, shareholder meetings also transitioned to a virtual medium. For more on how the…
Read More