Canadian Public Holidays We Celebrate | MyConsultant

Canadian Public Holidays We Celebrate

Canadian Public Holidays We Celebrate

Summer play season is behind us, and the work season is here. If you are thinking about work projects now, you might smile to know there is a long weekend ahead.

In Canada, we celebrate twelve Public Holidays. Our Federal Public Holidays are paid and free from work. As a result, Canadians can enjoy extra leisure time to meet their families and friends for food and cultural events. Many people will recognise some of our holidays as universal. For example, the harvest festival we call Thanksgiving. Others are uniquely Canadian, like Canada Day.

The nearest upcoming national holiday is Thanksgiving on October 10, 2022. Thanksgiving is a family dinner festival. So, reach for a warm sweater, a pumpkin spiced latte, your favourite people and prepare to learn about the next day of leisure with pay and the eleven more Federal Public Holidays and why we celebrate them.

Thanksgiving - October 10, 2022, Thanksgiving

Our harvest festival is gratitude themed. Unfortunately, Canadian winters are notoriously harsh. The traditional growing season is April – August before frost is severe enough to damage crops and snow arrives.

Canadians feel gratitude to farmers for the successful, safe yield, and there is an abundance as bushels of apples and wheat stream into factories and grocery stores. Many families plan a large meal with hearty foods like fancy pies and local produce. It's a tradition to make a round of the table offering gratitude for something we love – often farmers and grandma (who brings the best pies).

Remembrance Day - Friday, November 11, 2022

Strong at home. Secure in North America. Engaged in the World.

Our soldiers are brave and noble. On November 11, we stand in solidarity for a minute of silence to thank our military for protecting our nation from external and internal attacks. Remembrance Day is an observance sometimes marked with a ceremony remembering the service and sacrifice their forbearers offered during the First World War. The inaugural Remembrance Day was in 1918 at the end of the Second World War.

Christmas Day - Sunday, December 25, 2022

Fir branches deck halls, houses and apartments are brightly decorated, and lights are lit on trees and along avenues during the biggest holiday in Canada, Christmas. The Christmas season lasts the entire month of December and is a time for skating, parties, and festivals. On Christmas day, families and friends gather to exchange gifts and feast. Many also go to church for a unique service to celebrate the birth of a Christian Christ child.

Boxing Day - Monday, December 26, 2022

Boxing Day is a shopping day. Shops promote discounts to unload products they overbought during the holiday season. In addition, many families play indoor board games or call friends to go outdoors for winter games.

New Year - Saturday, January 1, 2022

Ringing in the new year is a centuries-old celebration in the Gregorian Calendar. At midnight on New Year's Eve, fireworks and singing end a night of music and activities. It is lucky to spend New Year's Day in a way that points to your life goals for the coming year. It is a tradition for Canadians to make resolutions to incorporate more healthy activities like going to the gym or plan goals for the new year.

Good Friday - Friday, April 15, 2022

Good Friday is a solemn holiday commemorating the day that the Christian Messiah died. Consequently, Good Friday is marked by an absence of activity, even at church – like a collective day of mourning. Easter Monday - Monday, April 18, 2022 Easter brings the Christian belief in eternal life and resurrection from the dead to life in one of the most important religious holidays of the year. Families hide easter eggs for their children to find and eat delicious meals together. Religious services are central to Easter Sunday. On Monday, Canadians don't work.

Victoria Day - Monday, May 23, 2022

Since 1845, Canada has celebrated Victoria Day as the “Holiday for the Queen.” May 24 is Queen Victoria's actual birthday. However, Canadians don’t mind celebrating Victoria Day on the Monday before May 25, so Queen Victoria’s “birthday” is always a long weekend. Any long weekend is perfect for camping, festivals, fireworks and of course, eating birthday cake.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day - Friday, June 24, 2022 (Quebec only)

This public holiday is special in Quebec as it represents French Canadian Patriotism. Patriotic speeches, contests, parades, and music sing the city alive with festivity. Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day combines an ancient summer solstice party to celebrate the year's longest day with a summer festival to honour a Catholic Saint.

Canada Day - Friday, July 1, 2022

"Oh, Canada. We stand on guard for thee." Canada is 155 years old this year. 1867 was the first Canada day with the signing of the constitution act. Fireworks festivals and birthday cakes draw thousands of partygoers to the streets in a patriotic show of affection for our great country.

Civic Holiday - Monday, August 1, 2022

The reason? The weather is beautiful, and we in Canada love an August holiday.

Disclaimer: August holiday is NOT a statutory holiday.Many civic centres make a long weekend of August 1 for us.

Labour Day - Monday, September 5, 2022

School is back in session, and summer is almost over. Labour day is for Canadian workers whose achievements make Canada a thriving nation. Labour day also is a nod to labour unions whose members unite to bring a healthy work-life balance and the eight-hour workday.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Friday, September 30, 2022

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation acknowledges the resilience and lives of victims of residential schools. On this day, we stand in solidarity with indigenous first-nations people whose lives were devastated by Canadian government policies. While we work on this day, it’s nice to walk in a public square or visit an event space and take part in an Indigenous Lives Matter campaign.

Calculate your next bank holiday pay in Ontario. (https://www.ontario.ca/page/public-holiday-pay-calculator)

Federal statutory holidays in Canada in 2023 (canada-holidays.ca)

Vacation pay and public holidays - Canada.ca

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