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Labour Day in Canada

This national overview identifies holiday occasions. Public holiday dates, substitute days and school calendars depend on the state or territory. Use your jurisdiction calendar for closures and countdowns.

State and territory calendars

Choose your jurisdiction for public holidays, substitute dates, local exceptions and school calendars.

About this calendar

Labour Day in Canada is observed on the first Monday in September and recognises workers and the history of the Canadian labour movement. It is a public holiday across the country and also marks the traditional end of the summer vacation season.

Coverage

Labour Day recognises the contribution of workers and the historical development of employment rights, unions and workplace protections in Canada. In everyday life it is also significant as the final major long weekend of summer before schools resume and autumn routines begin.

Dates and coverage by jurisdiction — 2028

Additional and substitute dates are separate entries. Local and sector-only holidays apply only to the areas or institutions specified.

Alberta

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

British Columbia

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Manitoba

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

New Brunswick

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Newfoundland and Labrador

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Northwest Territories

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Nova Scotia

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Nunavut

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Ontario

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Prince Edward Island

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Quebec

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Saskatchewan

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Yukon

Public · regional coverage · Confirmed — source checked

Actual statutory/calendar date; employer-dependent substitute dates are not manufactured. Official source

Missing entries do not establish that a jurisdiction has no holiday. Check its calendar for pending official dates and local exceptions.

Background

Canadian labour organizations held major campaigns for shorter working hours during the nineteenth century, including the Toronto printers' movement of 1872. The federal government officially designated the first Monday in September as Labour Day in 1894. The date recognizes workers and the labour movement rather than the start of the school year.

Workplaces

Federally regulated workers who qualify receive Labour Day with pay under federal standards. Separate provincial and territorial legislation covers other employees. Public offices commonly close; essential and continuous operations rely on premium-pay, scheduling or substitute-day provisions.

Banks

The Bank of Canada lists Labour Day as a national holiday. Most branches close and ordinary settlement pauses; electronic services continue, with processing completed according to the next business day.

Schools

Labour Day usually falls immediately before the school year begins or resumes, but term dates are provincial and local. Schools are closed on the holiday; the first instructional day is set by the relevant board calendar.

Planning

Labour Day weekend is one of Canada's busiest late-summer travel periods. Highways, cottage regions, campgrounds and airports can experience heavy traffic as families take final summer trips.

Frequently asked questions

When is Labour Day in Canada?

It falls on the first Monday in September.

When did Canada recognize Labour Day?

The federal government designated the September holiday in 1894.

Who receives holiday pay?

Federal rules cover federally regulated workplaces; most other workers look to the law of their province or territory.

Do bank branches open?

Most branches close and ordinary settlement resumes on the next banking day.

Does school start on Labour Day?

No. Classes generally begin after the holiday, according to the local board calendar.

Holiday guides

Official sources

Government of Canada: Government of Canada: general holidays for federally regulated employment