Unlike most statutory holidays in Canada, Easter falls on a different calendar day each year, as opposed to the same day every year. Easter can be as early as March 22nd or as late as April 25th. The reason for this is that Easter is set to coincide with the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
Understanding Good Friday and Easter Monday in Canada
Regardless of how the date for the Easter holiday is determined each year, it's important to note that Good Friday lands on the Friday before Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday falls on the Monday after Easter Sunday. In 2025 Good Friday falls on April 18th, and Easter Monday falls on April 21st.
Why does this matter? Well, legislation surrounding the Easter holiday has implications for payroll. The rules for stat holiday pay and entitlement vary by province and impact certain industries differently.
Additionally, because Good Friday is recognized by federal government employees and those in federally-regulated workplaces, it can affect payroll. Payments Canada, the entity in charge of payment clearing and settlement, is federally regulated, which means payroll processing and pay dates could be impacted.
It's important to note that an employee's right to statutory holidays is protected under the legislation of the jurisdiction where the work is performed, regardless of the province of employment or residence. See more about province of employment vs. province of residence here.
You can also download our Payroll Calendar here for additional statutory holiday information.
Stat Holiday Legislation for Good Friday & Easter Monday Across Canadian Provinces
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in all Canadian jurisdictions except for Quebec where it is at the employers discretion to observe either Good Friday or Easter Monday as a paid holiday. It's important to note that in Quebec, employees working in the clothing industry are entitled to
both days off, not including employees who work in a clothing store.
In each jurisdiction there is specific legislation that outlines employee eligibility for stat holiday pay, holiday substitutions, additional holidays, holiday pay etc. See below for more details.
| Canadian Payroll Jurisdiction |
Basic Details |
Link to Additional Resources |
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Federal |
For employees working for federally regulated employers, Good Friday is a statutory holiday and Easter Monday is not. |
Click here for employment standards - Federally regulated employers general holidays |
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Alberta |
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in Alberta. Employers can choose to recognize additional days as holidays, including Easter Monday. If an employer recognizes an additional holiday, all employment standards rules related to holiday pay apply to these additional holidays. |
Click here for employment standards – Alberta general holidays |
|
British Columbia |
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in British Columbia, while Easter Monday is not. Employers & employees in BC may agree to substitute another day for a stat holiday, however this must be formalized in writing and the substitute day must be treated the same as a stat holiday. |
Click here for employment standards - British Columbia statutory holidays |
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Manitoba |
Good Friday is one of Manitoba's 9 general holidays throughout the year, while Easter Monday is not. Employment standards regarding statutory holiday eligibility and pay are outlined on Manitoba's government website. |
Click here for employment standards - Manitoba general holidays |
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New Brunswick |
Good Friday is referred to as one of New Brunswick's 11 prescribed Days of Rest, while Easter Monday is not. Employment standards regarding statutory holiday eligibility and pay are outlined on New Brunswick's government website. |
Click here for employment standards - New Brunswick paid public holidays PDF |
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Newfoundland & Labrador |
Good Friday is a paid holiday in Newfoundland & Labrador, while Easter Monday is not. Employment standards regarding statutory holiday eligibility and pay are outlined on Newfoundland's government website. |
Click here for employment standards - Newfoundland & Labrador labour relations PDF |
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Northwest Territories |
Good Friday is a paid holiday in the Northwest Territories, while Easter Monday is not. An employer may choose to recognize the additional Easter Monday holiday but is not obligated to do so under the Employment Standards Act. |
Click here for employment standards - Northwest Territories statutory holidays |
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Nova Scotia |
Good Friday is a paid holiday in Nova Scotia. While Easter Monday is not a paid general holiday under the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code, it is commonly recognized as a holiday. |
Click here for employment standards - Nova Scotia labour code PDF (see pages 16-21) |
|
Nunavut |
In Nunavut, Good Friday is a general paid holiday and Easter Monday is not. | Click here for employment standards - Nunavut general holidays |
|
Ontario |
Good Friday is one of 9 statutory holidays in Ontario and Easter Monday is not. | Click here for employment standards - Ontario public holidays |
|
Prince Edward Island |
Good Friday is one of 8 statutory holidays in Prince Edward Island and Easter Monday is not. | Click here for employment standards - Prince Edward Island paid holidays |
|
Quebec |
In Quebec either Good Friday or Easter Monday be chosen as a paid statutory holiday, at the employers discretion. | |
|
Saskatchewan |
Good Friday is a paid holiday in Saskatchewan and Easter Monday is not | Click here for employment standards - Saskatchewan paid holidays |
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Yukon |
Good Friday is a statutory holiday in the Yukon and Easter Monday is not. Employees may receive paid holiday pay for for Easter Monday when their employer includes this day as part of the employment contract. |
Click here for employment standards - Yukon statutory holidays |
