Holidays in British Columbia
British Columbia has 11 statutory holidays. If you qualify, you get an average day’s pay, and working on the holiday pays 1.5×.
The holidays
- New Year’s Day: January 1
- Family Day: third Monday in February
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day: the Monday before May 25
- Canada Day: July 1, or July 2 when July 1 is a Sunday
- B.C. Day: first Monday in August
- Labour Day: first Monday in September
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: September 30
- Thanksgiving Day: second Monday in October
- Remembrance Day: November 11
- Christmas Day: December 25
Who qualifies
You must have been employed for 30 calendar days before the holiday, and have worked or earned wages on 15 of the 30 days before it. Paycheq checks both from your start date, shifts and paid days off.
How much
An average day’s pay: your wages in the 30 calendar days before the holiday, divided by the days you worked or earned wages. Wages include earlier holiday pay, vacation pay for vacation taken and paid sick days, and leave out overtime.
If you work on the holiday
You’re paid 1.5× for the first 12 hours and 2× after that, plus your holiday pay. If you don’t qualify, you’re paid your regular rate.
If it’s your day off
You still get holiday pay if you qualify.
Good to know
- If your union contract covers statutory holidays, its terms replace these.
- Paid vacation days and paid sick days count toward the 15 days, and their pay goes into the average. Add them with + on Week, then Add vacation or Add a sick day. Other paid leave doesn’t count here.
- Official source: Employment Standards Act, ss. 44 to 46, https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/00_96113_01
Estimates only. Not legal advice. Employment Standards in B.C. has the official rules.
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