In Canada, the May Long Weekend always falls on the Monday before May 25th. In 2026, the May Long Weekend holiday falls on May 18th. It is known as Victoria Day in some provinces and Patriot's Day in Quebec. There are 4 Canadian provinces that do not recognize this statutory holiday including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador.
Stat Holiday Legislation for the May Long Weekend Across Canada
If you're trying to figure out the holiday rules for the May Long Weekend in Canada, we've got a handy resource for you. The table below outlines which provinces observe Victoria Day and offers some extra info for each jurisdiction. Knowing these details is essential to ensuring your compliance with Employment Standards legislation and paying your employees accurately.
This guide is your go-to for understanding how the holiday is treated differently across the country. Don't forget to check out our Payroll Calendar for more statutory holiday info.
For questions related to statutory holiday pay, click here for more information.
| Canadian Payroll Jurisdiction |
Basic Details |
Link to Additional Resources |
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Federal |
For employees working for federally regulated employers, Victoria Day is a statutory holiday. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - Federally Regulated Employers General Holidays |
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Alberta |
Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in Alberta. |
Click Here for Employment Standards – Alberta General Holidays |
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British Columbia |
Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in British Columbia. 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 |
Victoria Day is one of Manitoba's 9 statutory holidays throughout the year. 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 |
Victoria Day is not a statutory holiday in New Brunswick. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - New Brunswick Paid Public Holidays |
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Newfoundland & Labrador |
Victoria Day is not a statutory holiday in Newfoundland & Labrador, except for provincial government employees. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - Newfoundland & Labrador Paid Holidays
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Northwest Territories |
Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in the Northwest Territories. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - Northwest Territories Statutory Holidays |
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Nova Scotia |
Victoria Day is not a statutory holiday in Nova Scotia. |
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Nunavut |
In Nunavut, Victoria Day is a general paid holiday. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - Nunavut General Holidays |
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Ontario |
Victoria Day is one of 9 statutory holidays in Ontario. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - Ontario Public Holidays |
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Prince Edward Island |
Victoria Day is not a statutory holiday in P.E.I. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - Prince Edward Island Paid Holidays |
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Quebec |
In Quebec, the Monday before May 25th is called National Patriots’ Day, not Victoria Day. It's a paid statutory holiday in Quebec. | |
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Saskatchewan |
Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in Saskatchewan. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - Saskatchewan Paid Holidays |
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Yukon |
Victoria Day is a statutory holiday in the Yukon. |
Click Here for Employment Standards - Yukon Statutory Holiday |
Understanding the nuances of statutory holidays in Canadian provinces is crucial for both employers and employees. Whether you're planning a holiday or managing payroll, knowing these details can help you navigate the complexities of statutory holiday legislation. Remember to consult the provided resources for more in-depth information and keep this blog handy for future reference.
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