Decision centre
Vacation & Holiday Pay Centre
Employment standards determine the entitlement; payroll rules determine how the payment is withheld and reported.
Vacation pay calculator
Use wages and service to find the minimum rate in five major jurisdictions.
Open this tool → HolidayStatutory holiday pay
Calculate day-off pay and an illustrative premium for working the holiday.
Open this tool → PaychequePayroll deductions
Calculate income tax, CPP/QPP, EI and QPIP on regular pay.
Open this tool → EmployerEmployer payroll cost
Add employer contributions, benefits and workplace costs.
Open this tool →How to use this group
Use the jurisdiction where the work is regulated, not simply the employer’s head-office province. Federally regulated industries follow the Canada Labour Code.
The first release covers federal employment, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, with links to each official employment-standards source.
Frequently asked questions
Which jurisdiction sets my vacation pay entitlement?
The employment standards where the work is actually performed and regulated, not necessarily the employer's head-office province. Federally regulated industries (banking, telecom, interprovincial transport) follow the Canada Labour Code instead of provincial rules.
Is vacation pay taxed differently from regular wages?
No. Vacation pay is subject to the same income tax, CPP/QPP and EI deductions as regular wages — there is no special withholding rate, though it is sometimes paid as a lump sum which can push the pay period into a higher marginal withholding bracket temporarily.
Do I get extra pay for working on a statutory holiday, or just the day off?
It depends on the jurisdiction and whether you actually work the holiday. Most jurisdictions require either a paid day off with average daily pay, or a premium rate (often 1.5x) for hours actually worked on the holiday — check the specific province or the Canada Labour Code for federally regulated employees.
Does vacation pay accrue on statutory holiday pay?
In most jurisdictions, vacation pay is calculated as a percentage of total wages earned, which typically includes statutory holiday pay — meaning holiday pay itself generates a small amount of additional vacation pay.