Updated info on provincial and territorial statutory holiday legislation for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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In 2021, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established as a statutory holiday for employees in the federal government and federally-regulated workplaces. Since the passing of Bill C-5 on September 30, 2021, other provincial and territorial jurisdictions have also passed legislation making National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a statutory holiday, including Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Nunavut, New Brunswick, and – most recently – British Columbia.

Which provinces and territories recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday:

Provincial and territorial jurisdictions across Canada are recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation incongruously. Some jurisdictions have passed legislation making National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a provincial or territorial statutory holiday, while in other regions legislation doesn’t regulate that businesses close. In some instances, businesses and organizations are encouraged to commemorate the day or have the choice to remain open.

What Canadian businesses need to know about how the September 30 stat holiday can affect their payroll:

It’s likely that National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will impact and change both your payroll processing and pay dates, regardless of what jurisdiction your business is located in and/or if your province or territory recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday. This is because Payments Canada, the organization responsible for payment clearing and settlement, is federally regulated and as such does not move money on September 30 or the day on which National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed. In 2023, federally-regulated businesses like Payments Canada are observing the stat on Monday, October 2.

What do Payworks clients need to know about how the September 30 stat holiday will affect their payroll:

Since September 2021, Payworks offices across Canada have been closed in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will continue to support and observe this day on September 30, or on a day in observance if the day falls on a non-working day. In 2023, Payworks offices across the country will be closed on Monday, October 2 to support and recognize the significance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Payworks’ client run schedules and calendars within our application will reflect this stat holiday.

  • Payworks clients with an October 2 payment date, the payment date will move to September 29. The payroll processing day will move to September 26.
  • Payroll processing dates for October 3 payment date will move to September 27.
  • Payroll processing dates for October 4 payment date will move to September 28.
  • Payroll processing dates for October 5 payment date will move to September 29.

Payworks stat holiday observance pro tip: Payworks clients with Absence Management can add days of acknowledgement or closure, like National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, to their Holiday Calendars.

It’s important for Canadian businesses to stay up-to-date with holidays and important dates, such as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Download a free copy of Payworks’ Payroll Calendar to help you navigate federal and provincial holidays, bank closures, and other important dates: https://www.payworks.ca/landing-pages/campaigns/payroll-calendar.  

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