What are the statutory holidays (Stat Days) in BC?

British Columbia has 11 statutory holidays each year under provincial employment standards legislation. These are days when eligible employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay, provided they meet the applicable eligibility requirements.

Statutory holidays in BC

The 11 provincial statutory holidays are:

• New Year's Day — January 1
• Family Day — Third Monday in February
• Good Friday — Friday before Easter Sunday
• Victoria Day — Monday before May 25
• Canada Day — July 1
• 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

When a statutory holiday falls on a regular day off, eligible employees may still be entitled to statutory holiday pay. If they work on a statutory holiday, special pay rules generally apply.

Other days that may be holidays

Some widely observed holidays are not statutory holidays under BC's provincial employment standards legislation. These include:

• Easter Sunday — Not a provincial statutory holiday.
• Easter Monday — Not a provincial statutory holiday, although it is observed by some employers and government offices.
• Boxing Day — December 26; not a provincial statutory holiday.
• National Indigenous Peoples Day — June 21; not a provincial statutory holiday.
• Civic Holiday — First Monday in August; often observed by municipalities and employers, but not a separate provincial statutory holiday. In BC, the first Monday in August is commonly called B.C. Day.
• Truth and Reconciliation-related observances — Some organizations observe additional days or offer paid leave beyond the statutory holiday on September 30.

Employers may provide paid time off for these or other occasions through employment contracts, collective agreements, workplace policies or established practices.

Are all employees entitled to statutory holidays?

Not necessarily. Under BC's Employment Standards Act, employees generally must have been employed for at least 30 calendar days and worked or earned wages on at least 15 of the 30 days immediately before the statutory holiday to qualify. Different rules may apply to certain types of employment.

Federal employees and employees in federally regulated industries may be covered by different statutory holiday rules. Unionized employees may also have additional entitlements under their collective agreements.

For the most current information about eligibility and pay, consult the Government of British Columbia's statutory holidays guidance (opens in a new tab).

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