Public Holidays Agreement

As an employee in Ontario you are entitled to a total of 9 Public Holidays yearly. The list of Public Holidays in Ontario is as follows:
  • New Year's Day
  • Family Day
  • Good Friday
  • Victoria Day
  • Boxing Day
  • Canada Day
  • Labour Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

Certain job assignments may require you to work on a public holiday. Please note you can refuse to work on a public holiday. Alternatively, you can agree in writing to work on the holiday and you will be paid accordingly at time and half for each hour worked and if they are eligible they will also be paid public holiday pay.

Considerations when determining who is eligible for public holiday pay:
  • If an employee agrees to work on a public holiday and then does not show up for work they do not qualify for public holiday pay.
  • If an employee is not present for their entire scheduled shift prior to the public holiday they do not qualify.
  • If an employee is not present for their entire scheduled shift following the public holiday they do not qualify.
  • Employees who work in a greenhouse do not qualify for public holiday pay under the ruling of special industries considerations.
  • Employees who quit and/or are terminated before the public holiday do not qualify for public holiday pay.
  • Employees who are on vacation during the public holiday and do not return to work afterward do not qualify for the public holiday pay.
  • Employees hired on by our clients do not qualify for public holiday pay.
  • Paid time off for any public holiday that falls on a working day, there are conditions to meet in order to qualify for public holiday pay.