The territorial flag for the Yukon accompanied by text that reads, “Discovery Day: Legislation essentials in a nutshell”.

Discovery Day – stat holiday legislation explained

Jul 19, 2024

Payworks

Every year in the Yukon, the third Monday of August is known as Discovery Day, which has been a territorial statutory holiday since 1911.

Are you managing a business or team with locations or employees in the Yukon? If so, look no further for a breakdown of the legislative requirements you need to know for accurately scheduling and paying your employees this Discovery Day!

What is Discovery Day?

Discovery Day is one of the Yukon’s 11 statutory holidays and one of the 13 paid statutory holidays for public service employees. Employees that fulfill the eligibility requirements within the Employment Standards Act are entitled to receive statutory holiday pay.

Below are more details on Discovery Day legislation…

To whom doesn't this holiday apply?

Discovery Day is a statutory holiday unique to the territory of the Yukon. Unless specified in a collective agreement, it’s not a recognized statutory holiday for federally-regulated employees and industries, or in other jurisdictions across Canada.

To whom does this paid holiday apply?

As Discovery Day is one of the Yukon’s statutory holidays, eligible employees within the territory receive a day off with holiday pay. If an employee works on Discovery Day, they’re entitled to either another day off with regular pay or overtime pay for hours worked on the general holiday. The overtime rate of pay is equivalent to 1.5 times a normal day’s pay. For more information on holiday pay eligibility and exceptions, refer to the Yukon's General Holiday Pay guide.

Territorial government employees and workplaces, municipal government offices, and many federal government institutions located in the Yukon generally observe Discovery Day as well.

Looking to get by with a little help from your friends (at Payworks)?

Wherever you’re located in Canada – from Dawson City to Tatamagouche! – we’re here to help businesses like yours answer questions about statutory holidays and more. Stay on top of even the most complex payroll legislation by downloading a free copy of our Payroll Guide. This straightforward desktop resource can help keep you (and your team!) compliant and paid on time: https://www.payworks.ca/landing-pages/campaigns/payroll-guide.

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These articles are produced by Payworks as an information service. They are not intended to substitute professional legal, regulatory, tax, or financial advice. Readers must rely on their own advisors, as applicable, for such advice.