Is Thanksgiving a stat holiday in Ontario?
Yes. Thanksgiving is a public holiday in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
Sources checked
Dates
| 2026 | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Monday, October 11, 2027 |
Who gets it
Most employees qualify, with no minimum length of service. You must work your full last regularly scheduled shift before the holiday and your full first one after it, unless you have reasonable cause.
Holiday pay
Public holiday pay is your regular wages earned in the 4 work weeks before the week of the holiday, plus vacation pay payable on those wages, divided by 20.
If you work that day
If you agree to work, you get either your regular wages for the hours worked plus a substitute day off with public holiday pay, or (if you agree in writing or electronically) public holiday pay plus premium pay of 1.5 times your regular rate for the hours worked.
If it falls on your day off
If the holiday falls on a day you don't normally work, or during your vacation, you get a substitute day off with public holiday pay (or, if you agree in writing or electronically, public holiday pay for the day instead).
Federally regulated workers
Thanksgiving is one of the 10 general holidays under the Canada Labour Code, so employees of federally regulated employers, such as banks and Canada Post, get it everywhere in Canada, including provinces where it isn't a provincial holiday. Holiday pay is at least 1/20 of wages (not counting overtime) earned in the 4 weeks before the week of the holiday, and employees who work it get at least 1.5 times their regular rate plus holiday pay.
Store closing rules
Ontario's Retail Business Holidays Act (and Toronto's Holiday Shopping By-law) require most retail stores to close. Exempt: small food/convenience stores, pharmacies under 7,500 sq ft, gas stations, garden centres, restaurants, and Toronto tourist areas like the Eaton Centre.
- Ontario Retail Business Holidays Act (consolidated Apr 24, 2026) · checked 2026-10-15
- Ontario.ca: Retail business holidays · checked 2026-10-15
- City of Toronto: Holiday Shopping By-law · checked 2026-10-15
Sources
- Ontario ESA guide: Public holidays · checked 2026-10-15
- Ontario Retail Business Holidays Act (consolidated Apr 24, 2026) · checked 2026-10-15
- Ontario.ca: Retail business holidays · checked 2026-10-15
- City of Toronto: Holiday Shopping By-law · checked 2026-10-15
- Canada.ca: General holidays for federally regulated employers · checked 2026-10-15
Questions
Is Thanksgiving a stat holiday in Ontario?
Yes. Thanksgiving is a public holiday in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
When is Thanksgiving in 2026 and 2027?
Monday, October 12, 2026 in 2026 and Monday, October 11, 2027 in 2027.
Who gets Thanksgiving off with pay in Ontario?
Most employees qualify, with no minimum length of service. You must work your full last regularly scheduled shift before the holiday and your full first one after it, unless you have reasonable cause.
How is holiday pay calculated in Ontario?
Public holiday pay is your regular wages earned in the 4 work weeks before the week of the holiday, plus vacation pay payable on those wages, divided by 20.
What if I work on Thanksgiving?
If you agree to work, you get either your regular wages for the hours worked plus a substitute day off with public holiday pay, or (if you agree in writing or electronically) public holiday pay plus premium pay of 1.5 times your regular rate for the hours worked.