Is Thanksgiving a Stat Holiday in Canada? 2026 Guide
Thanksgiving in Canada is on Monday, October 12, 2026. It's a paid statutory holiday in most of the country, but not everywhere. In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, employers don't have to give the day off with pay.
Province by province
| Where you work | Paid stat holiday on Oct 12? |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Yes |
| British Columbia | Yes |
| Manitoba | Yes |
| New Brunswick | No |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | No |
| Northwest Territories | Yes |
| Nova Scotia | No |
| Nunavut | Yes |
| Ontario | Yes |
| Prince Edward Island | No |
| Quebec | Yes |
| Saskatchewan | Yes |
| Yukon | Yes |
| Federally regulated jobs, anywhere in Canada | Yes |
Sources: the Canadian Federation of Independent Business's guide to paid holidays in every province, checked against the government lists for Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.
Who gets the day off in the four Atlantic provinces
"Not a stat holiday" doesn't mean everyone works. It means the law doesn't require a paid day off, so it depends on your employer and your contract. Two groups usually do get it:
- Federally regulated workers, such as people working for banks, airlines, telecom companies and Canada Post. Thanksgiving is one of the paid general holidays under the Canada Labour Code, in every province.
- Many public servants. In Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, Thanksgiving Day is on the provincial government's list of 2026 paid holidays for its own employees.
If you work on Thanksgiving
Where Thanksgiving is a stat holiday, eligible employees who work that day usually get extra pay, a paid day off at another time, or both. The rules on who qualifies and how much they get differ from province to province, so check your province's employment standards page. Many provinces also set conditions, such as having been with your employer for a minimum time (30 days in several provinces) or working your scheduled shifts before and after the holiday.
Quick answers
When is Thanksgiving in Canada in 2026?
Monday, October 12, 2026. It's always the second Monday in October.
Is it a long weekend?
Yes, for everyone who gets the Monday off: Saturday, October 10 to Monday, October 12.
Is Canadian Thanksgiving the same day as American Thanksgiving?
No. US Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday in November, which is November 26, 2026. In the US, Monday, October 12 is Columbus Day.
Is Thanksgiving a stat holiday in Quebec?
Yes. Action de grâce is one of Quebec's statutory holidays.
