Hiring in Canada with Justworks 102: Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Parental Benefits

This article is about Justworks EOR (Employer of Record). What product am I using?

Public Holidays in Canada

Canada observes ten federal public holidays, but not all provinces require employers to observe these. Whether federal or provincial holidays apply depends on the industry and its regulatory framework.

Federal Holidays

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• Labour Day
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Thanksgiving Day
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

Note: Federal holidays apply primarily to federally regulated industries (e.g., banks, airlines, telecom, Crown corporations). For others, provincial holiday rules apply.

Provincial Holiday Calendars

Each province and territory has its own holiday schedule. Click below to view detailed info:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Vacation Leave / Paid Time Off (PTO)

Standard Entitlements

Across most provinces, employees are entitled to:

• 10 days (2 weeks) of paid vacation after 1 year of service (4% of annual wages)
• 15 days (3 weeks) after 5–10 years of service, depending on the province (6% of annual wages)

Saskatchewan is the exception, offering 15 days minimum from the first year.

Accrual & Carry Over

• Vacation can accrue over time but must be paid out if not used.
• Vacation must be paid out upon termination.
• Sick leave cannot be accrued—it’s granted annually and resets each year.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is unpaid in most provinces, with the number of days ranging from 3 to 8 per year. Employers may require a doctor’s note for extended absences.

Paid Sick Leave (Select Provinces Only)

Note: In Ontario, employers cannot request a sick note for absences of 3 days or less.

EI Sickness Benefits

If an illness lasts more than 7 days, eligible employees may apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits, which cover:

• 55% of earnings, up to $695/week, for up to 26 weeks

More info: EI Sickness Benefits

Parental, Maternity, and Family Leave

Parental benefits in Canada are primarily paid by Employment Insurance (EI). These apply nationwide, except for Quebec, which has its own program.

Eligibility

• Must have 600 hours of insurable employment
• Must apply for EI as soon as leave begins
• Benefit: 55% of income, up to $695/week

 Learn more:

• EI Maternity & Parental Benefits
• Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP)

Maternity Leave (Birth or Surrogate Mothers Only)

• First 15 weeks are covered as maternity leave
• Follows by parental leave, available up to week 61
• Leave must be used within 12 months of the child’s birth

Paternity Leave

Only Quebec offers standalone paternity leave (5 weeks). In other provinces, new fathers may use parental leave.

Parental Leave (All Parents)

Can be shared between both parents and applies to:

• Birth parents
• Adoptive parents
• LGBTQ+ families

Parents can divide up to 61 weeks of leave between them, not including the 15-week maternity portion.

Adoption Leave

Handled the same way as parental leave. See above for eligibility and duration.

Summary Table: Time Off in Canada

Still unsure how these rules apply to your team? Reach out to us and we’ll walk you through it.

Disclaimer

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, legal or tax advice. If you have any legal or tax questions regarding this content or related issues, then you should consult with your professional legal or tax advisor.