--- title: The payroll info your biz needs to know for “August Long Weekend” description: "The first Monday in August is a statutory holiday for the federal government and federally-regulated workplaces, as well as in four jurisdictions in Canada: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and the Northwest Territories." image: https://blog.payworks.ca/hubfs/BlogPost_AugustLong_July5.jpeg --- [Skip to main content](https://blog.payworks.ca/the-payroll-info-your-biz-needs-to-know-for-august-long-weekend#maincontent) [Skip to footer](https://blog.payworks.ca/the-payroll-info-your-biz-needs-to-know-for-august-long-weekend#footer-en) ![A picture of fireworks over a lake accompanied by text that reads, “Where is “August Long Weekend” a statutory holiday? ](https://blog.payworks.ca/hubfs/BlogBanner_July5-1.jpg) # The payroll info your biz needs to know for “August Long Weekend” Jul 05, 2024 [Resources](https://blog.payworks.ca/tag/resources) ![Payworks](https://blog.payworks.ca/hubfs/Payworks%20February%202019/Images/inTheLoop-ring-150px.png) Payworks Share this article [![Share this on Facebook.](https://blog.payworks.ca/hubfs/Payworks%20February%202019/Images/button.gif)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.payworks.ca/the-payroll-info-your-biz-needs-to-know-for-august-long-weekend) [![Share this on Twitter.](https://blog.payworks.ca/hubfs/Payworks%20February%202019/Images/button.gif)](http://twitter.com/share?text=A%20great%20article%20from%20Payworks!&url=https://blog.payworks.ca/the-payroll-info-your-biz-needs-to-know-for-august-long-weekend) [![Share this on LinkedIn.](https://blog.payworks.ca/hubfs/Payworks%20February%202019/Images/button.gif)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.payworks.ca/the-payroll-info-your-biz-needs-to-know-for-august-long-weekend&title=&summary=&source) While the “August Long Weekend” is known across Canada as a perfect opportunity for camping, attending a backyard barbecue or exploring a local festival, it goes by many different official names across the country and has its own unique statutory holiday legislation. We’re here to help ensure your business is in the know to better navigate payroll-processing and general holiday pay info. ## What's this day of significance? The first Monday in August is a statutory holiday in five jurisdictions in Canada: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. There are five other provinces where it’s up to the employer’s discretion whether or not the day is observed: Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. Like all statutory holidays, there’s specific payroll legislation to which you need to adhere, and the details of that legislation differ between provinces and territories. Let’s take a closer look at the details for the first Monday in August by province and territory… ## British Columbia (BC) The first Monday in August is a [statutory holiday](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/statutory-holidays) in [BC](https://blog.payworks.ca/navigating-british-columbia-payroll-legislation-let-us-help-you?hsLang=en-ca) and is known as British Columbia Day. Eligible employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay whether or not they work on this day. For more information on statutory holidays in BC, including employee eligibility and how to calculate statutory holiday pay, visit: [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/statutory-holidays](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/statutory-holidays). ## Alberta The first Monday in August is referred to as [Alberta Heritage Day](https://www.alberta.ca/special-days) in the province. It’s **not** one of the [province](https://blog.payworks.ca/your-guide-to-unique-and-tricky-to-navigate-alberta-payroll-legislation?hsLang=en-ca)’s [general holidays](https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-general-holidays#general-holidays), but it’s an optional general holiday. This means it’s at the employer’s discretion whether or not to recognize Alberta Heritage Day as an additional holiday and if they do, all employment standards rules related to general holiday pay apply. For more info on general holidays in Alberta, visit: [https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-general-holidays#general-holidays](https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-general-holidays#general-holidays). ## Saskatchewan The first Monday in August is a [public holiday](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/employment-standards/public-statutory-holidays/list-of-saskatchewan-public-holidays) in [Saskatchewan](https://blog.payworks.ca/what-employers-need-to-know-about-saskatchewan-payroll-legislation?hsLang=en-ca), known as Saskatchewan Day. Businesses can close, with eligible employees receiving the day off with pay, or they can remain open, with employees who work receiving pay for working a public holiday. For more information on public holidays in Saskatchewan, visit: [https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/employment-standards/public-statutory-holidays/list-of-saskatchewan-public-holidays](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/employment-standards/public-statutory-holidays/list-of-saskatchewan-public-holidays). ## Manitoba The first Monday in August is known as [Terry Fox Day](https://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/40-4/b016e.php#:~:text=In%20August%20of%20each%20year,Manitoba%20as%20Terry%20Fox%20Day.) in [Manitoba](https://blog.payworks.ca/what-employers-need-to-know-about-manitoba-payroll-legislation-including-important-changes-for-2024?hsLang=en-ca), but it’s **not** one of the province’s [general holiday](https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/doc,gen-holidays-after-april-30-07,factsheet.html#q12)s. This means employees who work on this day are not legislatively required to receive general holiday pay. However, this is an optional day that can be observed at the employer’s discretion. 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](https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/doc,gen-holidays-after-april-30-07,factsheet.html#q12). ## Ontario The first Monday in August is known as Civic Holiday in [Ontario](https://blog.payworks.ca/what-employers-need-to-know-about-ontario-payroll-legislation?hsLang=en-ca). It’s **not** one of the province’s [public holiday](https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/public-holidays)s; it’s an optional day that can be observed at the employer’s discretion. For more information on public holidays in Ontario, visit: [https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/public-holidays](https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/public-holidays). ## Québec The first Monday in August is **not** a [paid statutory holiday](https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/leave/statutory-holidays/list-paid-statutory-holidays) in [Québec](https://blog.payworks.ca/questions-about-qu%C3%A9bec-payroll-legislation-weve-got-you-covered). For more info on the province’s stat holidays, visit: [https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/leave/statutory-holidays/list-paid-statutory-holidays](https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/leave/statutory-holidays/list-paid-statutory-holidays). ## Newfoundland and Labrador The first Monday in August is **not** a [public holiday](https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/Publications_Labour_Relations_At_Work_Updates_October-2022.pdf) in Newfoundland and Labrador. While the first Wednesday of the month holds significance throughout the province as [Regatta Day](https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/plan-and-book/festivals-and-events/212810#:~:text=It%20is%20held%20the%20first,%2C%20weather%20permitting%2C%20since%201818.), it isn’t recognized as a legislated public holiday either. For more info on public holidays in the province, visit: [https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/Publications\_Labour\_Relations\_At\_Work\_Updates\_October-2022.pdf](https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/Publications_Labour_Relations_At_Work_Updates_October-2022.pdf). ## New Brunswick The first Monday in August is known as New Brunswick Day in the province, and is a [paid public holiday](https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/jobs-workplaces/labour-market-workforce/employment-standards/holiday-vacation.html). For more information about paid public holidays in New Brunswick, visit: [https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/jobs-workplaces/labour-market-workforce/employment-standards/holiday-vacation.html](https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/jobs-workplaces/labour-market-workforce/employment-standards/holiday-vacation.html).  ## Nova Scotia  The first Monday in August is known as [Natal Day](https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/tools-resources/paid-holidays-canada#:~:text=Natal%20Day%20is%20considered%20a,paid%20holidays%20in%20Nova%20Scotia%3F) in Nova Scotia, and is **not** one of the province’s [paid holiday](https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/holidaychart.asp)s. It’s also not one of the province’s nine [designated retail-closing days](https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/holidaychart.asp). However, this is an optional day that can be observed at the employer’s discretion. For more information on paid holidays in Nova Scotia, visit: [https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/holidaychart.asp](https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/holidaychart.asp). ## Prince Edward Island (PEI) Like in Nova Scotia, the first Monday in August in PEI is known as [Natal Day](https://www.discovercharlottetown.com/events/natal-day-weekend-celebrations/). It’s **not** one of the province’s [paid holidays](https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-advanced-learning-and-population/paid-holidays); this is an optional day that can be observed at the employer’s discretion. For more information on paid holidays in PEI, visit: [https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-advanced-learning-and-population/paid-holidays](https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-advanced-learning-and-population/paid-holidays). ## Yukon The first Monday in August is **not** one of the Yukon’s [statutory holidays](https://yukon.ca/en/find-yukon-statutory-holiday). Rather, on the third Monday of the month, the territory recognizes [Discovery Day](https://yukon.ca/en/news/statement-premier-pillai-discovery-day). For more info on statutory holidays in the Yukon, visit: [https://yukon.ca/en/find-yukon-statutory-holiday](https://yukon.ca/en/find-yukon-statutory-holiday). ## Northwest Territories The [first Monday in August](https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/employment-standards/frequently-asked-questions) is a [statutory holiday](https://my.hr.gov.nt.ca/employees/leave-time/statutory-holidays) in the Northwest Territories. For more information on the territory’s statutory holidays, visit: [https://my.hr.gov.nt.ca/employees/leave-time/statutory-holidays](https://my.hr.gov.nt.ca/employees/leave-time/statutory-holidays). ## Nunavut The first Monday in August is a [general holiday](https://www.nu-lsco.ca/faq-s) in Nunavut, and as such, eligible employees are to be paid according to the [Labour Standards Act](https://www.nunavutlegislation.ca/en/consolidated-law/labour-standards-act-official-consolidation). For more information on general holidays in Nunavut, visit: [https://www.nu-lsco.ca/faq-s](https://www.nu-lsco.ca/faq-s). Enjoyed this consolidated roundup of “August Long Weekend” statutory holiday legislation? For more peace of mind in paying your people accurately and ensuring payroll compliance, download the Payworks Payroll Guide. It’s a handy desktop resource that’s available at no charge and here to assist Canadian businesses in navigating important payroll legislation: [https://www.payworks.ca/landing-pages/campaigns/payroll-guide](https://www.payworks.ca/landing-pages/campaigns/payroll-guide?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Article&utm_content=The%20payroll%20info%20your%20biz%20needs%20to%20know%20for%20“August%20Long%20Weekend”). Key topics in this article: [Resources](https://blog.payworks.ca/tag/resources)[Payroll Resources](https://blog.payworks.ca/tag/payroll-resources)[Business Owner](https://blog.payworks.ca/tag/business-owner)[SME](https://blog.payworks.ca/tag/sme)[Payroll Management](https://blog.payworks.ca/tag/payroll-management)[Legislation](https://blog.payworks.ca/tag/legislation) 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. 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