Statutory holiday information for the Third Monday in February

If you’re a Canadian payroll practitioner or business owner, we’re sure you already know that it’s common for statutory holiday legislation to differ between provinces and territories – as well as between federally-regulated or industry-specific workplaces (for example, retail). But knowing this and putting it into action when the time comes can be two different things… especially when there are bank closures to navigate alongside applying statutory or general holiday pay for employees where your business operates.

The Third Monday in February is one of many statutory holidays that’s recognized differently across the country. In some jurisdictions, this day isn’t recognized as a statutory holiday, while in others it’s a legislated statutory holiday known as Family Day, Louis Riel Day, Islander Day, or Heritage Day.

Which provinces and territories recognize the Third Monday in February as a statutory holiday?

The Third Monday in February is a recognized statutory holiday in the provinces of British Columbia (BC), Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island (PEI), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

British Columbia (BC)

In BC, the Third Monday in February is known as Family Day and it’s one of the province’s 11 statutory holidays. For more information on statutory holidays in BC, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/statutory-holidays.

Alberta

The Third Monday in February is known as Alberta Family Day, and it’s one of the nine general holidays in the province. For more information on general holidays, employee eligibility, and holiday pay rates in Alberta, visit: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-general-holidays#general-holidays-family-day.

Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, the Third Monday in February is also known as Family Day and it’s a public holiday. For a list of public holidays in the province, visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/employment-standards/public-statutory-holidays/list-of-saskatchewan-public-holidays.

Manitoba

The Third Monday in February in Manitoba is known as Louis Riel Day and is one of the province’s eight general holidays. For more information on general holidays in Manitoba, visit: https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/doc,gen-holidays-after-april-30-07,factsheet.html#q12.

Ontario

Family Day, the Third Monday in February, is one of the nine public holidays in Ontario. For more information on general holidays in the province, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/public-holidays.

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

The Third Monday in February is known as Islander Day in PEI, and is one of the eight paid holidays in the province. For more information on paid holidays in PEI, visit: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-advanced-learning-and-population/paid-holidays.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Heritage Day, the Third Monday in February, is one of the six paid holidays in Nova Scotia. For more information on paid holidays in the province, visit: https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/holidaychart.asp.

New Brunswick

The Third Monday in February is known as Family Day in New Brunswick and is one of the eight paid public holidays in the province. For more information on paid public holidays in New Brunswick, visit: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/petl-epft/PDF/es/FactSheets/PublicHolidaysVacation.pdf.

Which provinces and territories don’t recognize the Third Monday in February as a statutory holiday?

The Third Monday in February is not recognized as a statutory holiday in Québec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Canadian businesses need to know that it’s not a general holiday for federally-regulated workplaces under the Canada Labour Code (CLC). This is important to keep in mind because banking institutions are considered federally-regulated employers, and whether or not a bank is open can impact payroll processing. While the Third Monday in February is not a general holiday under the CLC, banks typically follow the local, provincial legislation (meaning that a bank would be open in Newfoundland but not in Manitoba). The list of general holidays recognized by the CLC can be found by visiting: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/workplace/federal-labour-standards/vacations-holidays.html.

Québec

The Province of Québec recognizes eight statutory holidays, and the Third Monday in February is not one of them. For more information on statutory holidays in Québec, visit: https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/leave/statutory-holidays/list-paid-statutory-holidays.

Newfoundland and Labrador

There are 12 paid holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Third Monday in February is not one of them. For more information on paid holidays in the province, visit: https://www.gov.nl.ca/exec/tbs/2024-paid-holidays-2/.

Yukon

There are 11 statutory holidays in the Yukon, and the Third Monday in February is not one of them. For more information on statutory holidays in the Yukon, visit: https://yukon.ca/en/find-yukon-statutory-holiday.

Northwest Territories

There are 13 statutory holidays in the Northwest Territories, and the Third Monday in February is not one of them. For more information on statutory holidays in the Northwest Territories, visit: https://my.hr.gov.nt.ca/employees/leave-time/statutory-holidays.

Nunavut

There are 14 public service holidays in Nunavut, and the Third Monday in February is not one of them. For more information on public service holidays in Nunavut, visit: https://www.gov.nu.ca/finance/information/public-service-holidays.

Paying staff accurately and ensuring legislative compliance is always top of mind – and we can help make it the least of Canadian businesses’ concerns. To stay up-to-date with holidays and important dates, download a free copy of the Payworks Payroll Guide to help you and your business navigate federal and provincial holidays, bank closures, and other important payroll legislation in Canada: https://www.payworks.ca/landing-pages/campaigns/payroll-guide.