The New Year has just begun, and if you’re already daydreaming about your next long weekend, you’re not alone! Canada’s 2025 calendar offers a variety of statutory and federal holidays to help you make the most of your time off. After the hustle of the holidays, there’s no better way to start the year than by planning ahead for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
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Understanding Statutory vs. Federal Holidays in Canada
Before diving into the dates, let’s clarify the difference between statutory (stat) holidays and federal holidays:
- Statutory Holidays: Determined by provinces and territories, these apply to most private industries within those regions.
- Federal Holidays: These apply to federally regulated industries, including government offices, banks, postal services, and airlines.
While Canada recognizes 12 federal holidays, only four are statutory holidays across every province: New Year’s Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day.
Regional Variations in Statutory Holidays
Holiday time varies across the provinces and territories. For example:
- Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia offer the fewest stat holidays, with just six.
- British Columbia (B.C.), Yukon, and the Northwest Territories boast the most, with 11 each.
Depending on where you live and your industry, you could enjoy anywhere from 6 to 12 extra days off in 2025.
Your Complete List of 2025 Stat Holidays in Canada
Here’s a breakdown of Canada’s 2025 holidays to help you plan your year:
January 1 (Wednesday): New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day kicks off the year as a universal stat and federal holiday. With a midweek break, it’s a refreshing start to 2025 — but blink, and it’s gone!
February 17 (Monday): Family Day (and More)
- Observed as Family Day in Alberta, B.C., New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
- Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, Islander Day in P.E.I., and Heritage Day in Nova Scotia.
- Not a holiday in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.
April 18 (Friday): Good Friday
Good Friday is both a federal and stat holiday in most provinces, except Quebec. It’s the perfect way to start Easter weekend.
April 21 (Monday): Easter Monday
Quebecers often get Easter Monday off instead of Good Friday. It’s also a federal holiday, giving federal employees across Canada a luxurious four-day weekend.
May 19 (Monday): Victoria Day
Celebrated as National Patriots’ Day in Quebec, this federal holiday marks the unofficial start of summer in most provinces. However, it’s not recognized in Atlantic Canada.
June 21 (Saturday): National Indigenous Peoples Day
A stat holiday in the Northwest Territories and Yukon, this day celebrates Indigenous cultures and contributions across Canada.
June 24 (Tuesday): Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
This statutory and federal holiday is exclusive to Quebec, where it’s a major cultural celebration and referred to as the province’s “National Holiday.”
July 1 (Tuesday): Canada Day
Canada’s national birthday is a stat and federal holiday nationwide. Falling on a Tuesday in 2025, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan a four-day weekend!
July 9 (Wednesday): Nunavut Day
This holiday is unique to Nunavut, commemorating the territory’s creation in 1999.
August 4 (Monday): Civic Holiday
- Known as B.C. Day, New Brunswick Day, and Saskatchewan Day in their respective provinces.
- Not a statutory holiday in Quebec but observed in federal industries.
August 18 (Monday): Discovery Day
This stat holiday is exclusive to Yukon, celebrating the Klondike Gold Rush’s historical significance.
September 1 (Monday): Labour Day
A universal stat and federal holiday across Canada, Labour Day bids farewell to summer with a well-earned break.
September 30 (Tuesday): National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Also called Orange Shirt Day, this federal holiday is a stat in B.C., Manitoba, Northwest Territories, P.E.I., and Yukon. It’s a day of reflection on the impacts of residential schools.
October 13 (Monday): Thanksgiving Day
While Thanksgiving is a stat holiday in most provinces and territories, the Atlantic provinces do not officially observe it.
November 11 (Tuesday): Remembrance Day
A stat and federal holiday in many regions, but not observed in Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, or Nova Scotia.
December 25 (Thursday): Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a universal stat and federal holiday — a time for family, festivities, and feasting!
December 26 (Friday): Boxing Day
A statutory holiday in Ontario and a federal holiday nationwide, Boxing Day is ideal for sales shopping or post-Christmas relaxation.
Plan Ahead: All Statutory Holidays in Canada for 2025
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Maximize Your Long Weekends in 2025
With these holidays in mind, now’s the time to plan your road trips, family gatherings, or lazy days off. Whether it’s a winter retreat or a summer BBQ, make every holiday count.
What are you waiting for? Start marking those dates on your calendar and enjoy the year ahead!
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