Statutory Holidays in British Columbia 

As an employer regulated by British Columbia’s Employment Standards Act, you have a legal obligation to comply with the minimum employment standards for statutory holidays. 

2023 Statutory Holidays in British Columbia  

There are 11 statutory holidays in British Columbia. 

  • New Year’s Day: Sunday, January 1, 2023
  • Family Day: Monday, February 20, 2023
  • Good Friday: Friday, April 7, 2023
  • Victoria Day: Monday, May 22, 2023
  • Canada Day: Saturday, July 1, 2023
  • BC Day: Monday, August 7, 2023
  • Labour Day: Monday, September 4, 2023
  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Monday, October 2, 2023
  • Thanksgiving Day: Monday, October 9, 2023
  • Remembrance Day: Saturday, November 11, 2023
  • Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, 2023

As the employer, it is your responsibility to provide time off with holiday pay to eligible employees. Please note that Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Boxing Day are not statutory holidays in B.C.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation now officially a statutory holiday in BC

The new stat became official after the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Act, 2023, received royal assent in B.C.’s legislature on March 9th, 2023. Employers in BC will now be required to provide eligible employees under the Employment Standards Act, a day off with pay on September 30. This year, the holiday falls on a Saturday, meaning employees will get Monday, October 2 off.

Entitlement to B.C. Statutory Holidays 

Your employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay if they have been: 

  • Employed for 30 calendar days before the statutory holiday; and 
  • Working or earning wages on 15 of the 30 days immediately before the statutory holiday. 

If an employee has failed to meet the above requirements, you are not responsible for providing statutory holiday pay. Further to this, an employee who is not eligible and works on a holiday may be paid regular wages for the day.  

How is Statutory Pay Calculated in British Columbia? 

Statutory pay equals an average day’s pay. BC employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay if they work or take the day off.

Statutory holiday pay = Total wages ÷ number of days worked in the pay period leading up to the statutory holiday

Employers should base their calculations on the last 30 days worked prior to the statutory holiday – including vacation days.  

Substituting another day for a statutory holiday 

Employers and employees can agree in writing to substitute another day for a statutory day. The agreed upon substitution day must be treated the same as a regular statutory holiday.

Do you have a policy for statutory holiday time off?

To be compliant with the law, it is important that you know how to manage stat holiday pay and entitlements correctly. If you are unsure about how to calculate statutory holiday pay for your small business, our experts can help. Call our free employer advice line now at  1-888-219-8767.