Holidays in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards Code has 6 paid holidays. If you qualify, you get a day’s pay. Working on the holiday pays 1.5×.

The holidays

• New Year’s Day: January 1
• Nova Scotia Heritage Day: third Monday in February
• Good Friday
• Canada Day: July 1, or July 2 when July 1 is a Sunday
• Labour Day: first Monday in September
• Christmas Day: December 25

Remembrance Day is covered by a separate Act and isn’t included.

Who qualifies

You must have been paid for 15 of the 30 calendar days before the holiday. Paycheq counts the days you worked and your paid days off, such as vacation, paid sick days and other paid leave. Add those with + on Week. The day card in Week asks: did you work your last scheduled shift before the holiday and your first scheduled shift after it, or have a reasonable cause or your employer’s OK to miss one?

How much

A regular day’s pay. For hours that vary, the average over the 30 calendar days before the holiday: your wages, not counting overtime, divided by the days you worked.

If you work on the holiday

You’re paid 1.5× for the hours you work, plus your holiday pay. If you don’t qualify, you’re paid your regular rate. In continuous operations, your employer may pay your regular rate and give you another day off with pay instead. On the day screen, choose Premium pay or Day off later.

If it’s your day off

Your employer gives you another day off with pay. Paycheq counts the holiday pay on the holiday itself.

Estimates only. Not legal advice. Nova Scotia Labour Standards has the official rules.