Statutory holidays: Frequently asked questions

WHEN IS THE NEW YEAR'S DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

For the duration of the 2021-2025 collective agreements, New Year’s Day is a public holiday that falls during the compulsory annual holiday period.

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2025 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THIS HOLIDAY TO ANOTHER DATE?

No, except for the employer of an employee who is a security systems installer assigned to maintenance and repair work in the Institutional and commercial, Industrial, and Civil engineering and roads sectors, for whom a holiday coincides with a scheduled day off. This day off shall then be moved to the business day immediately preceding or following the public holiday.

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

Yes, you may file a report with the CCQ.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE NEW YEAR'S DAY STATUTORY HOLIDAY AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

All work performed on a statutory holiday is considered to be overtime. Working overtime is voluntary, except in the case of emergency work.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

This statutory holiday is paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THAT DAY?

No. Reserve hours cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

No.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

For an employee who has another compulsory annual leave period, the normal work week is shortened due to the holiday when the statutory holiday falls during the week, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.

IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if an employee who has another compulsory annual leave period has worked on the working day before and after the statutory holiday, he/she is entitled to the payment of the room and board allowance.

WHEN ARE THE GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER MONDAY HOLIDAYS OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2025 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THESE HOLIDAYS TO ANOTHER DATE?

No, except for the employer of an employee who is a security systems installer assigned to maintenance and repair work in the Institutional and Commercial, Industrial, and Civil Engineering and Roads sectors, for whom one of these holidays coincides with a scheduled day off. This day off shall then be moved to the business day immediately preceding or following the public holiday.

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

Yes, you may file a report with the CCQ.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER MONDAY STATUTORY HOLIDAYS AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

All work performed on a statutory holiday is considered to be overtime. Working overtime is voluntary, except in the case of emergency work.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THESE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS?

These statutory holidays are paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THESE DAYS?

No. Reserve hours cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THESE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS?

No.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

Due to the holiday, the normal work week is shortened, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.

IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if the employee worked on the working day immediately before and after the statutory holiday.

WHEN IS THE NATIONAL PATRIOT'S DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2024 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THIS HOLIDAY TO ANOTHER DATE?

No, except for the employer of an employee who is a security systems installer assigned to maintenance and repair work in the Institutional and commercial, Industrial, and Civil engineering and roads sectors, for whom this holiday coincides with a scheduled day off. This day off shall then be moved to the business day immediately preceding or following the public holiday.

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

Yes, you may file a report with the CCQ.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE NATIONAL PATRIOT'S DAY HOLIDAY AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

All work performed on a statutory holiday is considered to be overtime. Working overtime is voluntary, except in the case of emergency work.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

This statutory holiday is paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THAT DAY?

No. Hours in reserve cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

No.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

Due to the holiday, the normal work week is shortened, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.


IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if the employee worked on the working day immediately before and after the statutory holiday.

WHEN IS THE SAINT-JEAN-BAPTISTE DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2025 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY TO ANOTHER DATE? 

For any questions about the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day holiday, contact the CNESST, organization in charge of enforcing the National Holiday Act, at 1 844 838-0808.

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

No.

For any questions about the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day holiday, contact the CNESST, organization in charge of enforcing the National Holiday Act, at 1 844 838-0808.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE SAINT-JEAN-BAPTISTE DAY HOLIDAY AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

For any questions about the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day holiday, contact the CNESST, organization in charge of enforcing the National Holiday Act, at 1 844 838-0808.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

This statutory holiday is paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THAT DAY?

No. Hours in reserve cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

No.

For any questions about the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day holiday, contact the CNESST, organization in charge of enforcing the National Holiday Act, at 1 844 838-0808.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

Due to the holiday, the normal work week is shortened, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.

IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if the employee worked on the working day immediately before and after the statutory holiday. 

WHEN IS THE CANADA DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2025 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY TO ANOTHER DATE?

No, unless you are the employer of a security systems installer assigned to maintenance and repair work:

• For the Institutional & Commercial and Industrial sectors
  The employer may move this statutory holiday to another date.

• For the Civil Engineering & Roads sector
  When this holiday coincides with an employee’s scheduled day off, the employer shall move it to the first working day before or after the statutory holiday.
  
  

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

Yes, you may file a report with the CCQ.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE CANADA DAY STATUTORY HOLIDAY AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

All work performed on a statutory holiday is considered to be overtime. Working overtime is voluntary, except in the case of emergency work.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

This statutory holiday is paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THAT DAY?

No. Hours in reserve cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

No.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

Due to the holiday, the normal work week is shortened, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.


IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if the employee worked on the working day immediately before and after the statutory holiday.

WHEN IS THE LABOUR DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2024 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization. 

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THIS HOLIDAY TO ANOTHER DATE?

No, except for the employer of an employee who is a security systems installer assigned to maintenance and repair work in the Institutional and commercial, Industrial, and Civil engineering and roads sectors, for whom a holiday coincides with a scheduled day off. This day off shall then be moved to the business day immediately preceding or following the public holiday.

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

Yes, you may file a report with the CCQ.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE LABOUR DAY STATUTORY HOLIDAY AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

All work performed on a statutory holiday is considered to be overtime. Working overtime is voluntary, except in the case of emergency work.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

This statutory holiday is paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THAT DAY?

No. Reserve hours cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

No.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

Due to the holiday, the normal work week is shortened, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.

IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if the employee worked on the working day immediately before and after the statutory holiday.

WHEN IS THE THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2024 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THIS HOLIDAY TO ANOTHER DATE?

No, except for the employer of an employee who is a security systems installer assigned to maintenance and repair work in the Institutional and commercial, Industrial, and Civil engineering and roads sectors, for whom a holiday coincides with a scheduled day off. This day off shall then be moved to the business day immediately preceding or following the public holiday.

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

Yes, you may file a report with the CCQ.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE THANKSGIVING DAY STATUTORY HOLIDAY AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

All work performed on a statutory holiday is considered to be overtime. Working overtime is voluntary, except in the case of emergency work.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

This statutory holiday is paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THAT DAY?

No. Reserve hours cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.
 

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

No.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

Due to the holiday, the normal work week is shortened, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.

IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if the employee worked on the working day immediately before and after the statutory holiday.

WHEN IS THE REMEMBRANCE DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2024 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THIS HOLIDAY TO ANOTHER DATE?

No, unless you are the employer of a security systems installer assigned to maintenance and repair work:

• For the Institutional & Commercial and Industrial sectors
  The employer may move this statutory holiday to another date.
• For the Civil Engineering & Roads sector
  When this holiday coincides with an employee’s scheduled day off, the employer shall move it to the first working day before or after the statutory holiday.

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

Yes, you may file a report with the CCQ.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE REMEMBRANCE DAY STATUTORY HOLIDAY AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

All work performed on a statutory holiday is considered to be overtime. Working overtime is voluntary, except in the case of emergency work.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

This statutory holiday is paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THAT DAY?

No. Reserve hours cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.
 

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

No.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

Due to the holiday, the normal work week is shortened, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.

IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if the employee worked on the working day immediately before and after the statutory holiday.

WHEN IS THE CHRISTMAS DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED (2021–2025 COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS)?

For the duration of the 2021-2025 collective agreements, Christmas Day is a public holiday that falls during the compulsory annual holiday period.

Refer to the Construction Holidays and Vacations section for information on the 2021 to 2024 holidays.

For more information on this subject, contact your employer association or labour organization.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I MOVE THIS HOLIDAY TO ANOTHER DATE?

No, except for the employer of an employee who is a security systems installer assigned to maintenance and repair work in the Institutional and commercial, Industrial, and Civil engineering and roads sectors, for whom a holiday coincides with a scheduled day off. This day off shall then be moved to the business day immediately preceding or following the public holiday.

MY EMPLOYER IS ASKING ME TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WITHOUT BEING PAID OVERTIME OR ON A NON-VOLUNTARY BASIS. CAN I FILE A GRIEVANCE WITH THE CCQ?

Yes, you may file a report with the CCQ.

CAN AN EMPLOYEE WORK ON THE CHRISTMAS DAY STATUTORY HOLIDAY AND GET PAID OVERTIME?

All work performed on a statutory holiday is considered to be overtime. Working overtime is voluntary, except in the case of emergency work.

AS AN EMPLOYER, HOW SHOULD I BE PAYING FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

This statutory holiday is paid through the 5.5% statutory holiday pay provided for in the collective agreements.

IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR, CAN EMPLOYEES BE PAID BY MEANS OF THEIR HOURS IN RESERVE TO MAKE UP FOR HOURS ON THAT DAY?

No. Reserve hours cannot be used to compensate for a statutory holiday.

AS AN EMPLOYER, CAN I REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE CCQ FOR THIS STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

No.

IS THE STANDARD WORK WEEK (excluding night work, flextime, compressed work schedule, isolated work sites, James Bay territory and construction projects north of the 55th parallel) SHORTENED DUE TO THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY?

For an employee who has another compulsory annual leave period, the normal work week is shortened due to the holiday when the statutory holiday falls during the week, with the following exceptions:

* For occupations, refer to the collective agreements for the rules that apply.

IS THE EMPLOYEE ENTITLED TO THE PAYMENT OF ROOM AND BOARD?

Yes, if an employee who has another compulsory annual leave period has worked on the working day before and after the statutory holiday, he/she is entitled to the payment of the room and board allowance.