Mandatory Statutory Holidays in Ontario
Not everyone gets Easter Monday off. Here is a complete list of mandatory paid holidays in Ontario. The province is one of the few where Remembrance Day is not a statutory holiday.
Remembrance Day
[translate:Remembrance Day] falls on Tuesday, November 11, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. At 11 a.m., a moment of silence is typically observed in schools and workplaces to remember when the armistice took effect. Despite official ceremonies honoring Canadian Armed Forces members killed in the line of duty, Remembrance Day is considered an optional holiday in Ontario.
Optional Holidays
- [translate:Easter Monday]
- [translate:Civic Day] in August
- [translate:National Day for Truth and Reconciliation] on September 30
These holidays are commonly observed but not legally required. Employers may choose whether to observe them. However, federally regulated institutions like Canada Post and banks close on these days.
Public Holiday Pay
Paid public holidays, also called statutory or general holidays, are days when most businesses must close and pay eligible employees as if working a regular day.
2025 Mandatory Statutory Paid Holidays
On statutory holidays, employers are legally required to:
Ontario remains one of a few provinces where Remembrance Day isn’t a statutory holiday.
Author's summary: Ontario distinguishes between mandatory and optional holidays, with key days like Remembrance Day observed without pay requirements for most workers.
Would you like me to include the full list of 2025 statutory holidays for Ontario if available?