Pay rules
Stat holiday pay for temp workers: Ontario vs BC vs Alberta (with the math)
Temp workers qualify for statutory holiday pay in Ontario, BC, and Alberta, but eligibility and calculation rules differ by province. Ontario divides wages from the prior 4 weeks by 20; BC and Alberta use total wages divided by days worked in their respective eligibility windows. Premiums for working a holiday are 1.5x in all provinces, though BC also adds 2x after 12 hours.
The number of paid holidays varies: Ontario has 9, BC has 11, and Alberta has 9. Temp agencies are the employer of record in Ontario and Alberta; BC treats temp workers the same as direct employees. Use the table below to compare eligibility windows, formulas, and holiday counts by province.
Reviewed with the owner of the Ontario light-industrial staffing agency Kordis was built inside.
Ontario statutory holiday pay: the 4-week formula
In Ontario, temp workers qualify for statutory holiday pay just like any other employee. The formula is: (wages in the 4 work weeks before the holiday + vacation pay in those 4 weeks) ÷ 20. The division by 20 represents a pro-rated 5-day work week across 4 weeks.
If the worker agrees to work the holiday, they earn 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked that day, in addition to or instead of the standard holiday pay (depending on the arrangement).
Ontario worked example
A temp worker in Ontario has earned $2,400 in regular wages and $96 in vacation pay over the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas. The statutory holiday pay is calculated as: ($2,400 + $96) ÷ 20 = $2,496 ÷ 20 = $124.80. If they work Christmas at $20 per hour regular rate, they earn $20 × 1.5 = $30 per hour for those hours instead.
BC statutory holiday pay: eligibility and average day formula
BC statutory holiday eligibility requires: the employee has worked for the employer for at least 30 calendar days AND worked or earned wages on 15 of those 30 days before the holiday. Once eligible, the holiday pay is: total wages in the 30 days ÷ days worked in that period (overtime excluded). Temp workers have the same rights as directly hired employees.
If the worker is scheduled to work the holiday, they earn 1.5 times their regular rate for the first 12 hours worked, then 2 times their regular rate for hours beyond 12. They also receive their average day's pay on top of the premium.
BC worked example
A temp worker in BC has earned $1,200 over the past 30 days and worked 20 of those days. Average day's pay is: $1,200 ÷ 20 = $60. If they work a statutory holiday for 10 hours at $20 per hour regular rate, they earn: ($60) + (10 × $20 × 1.5) = $60 + $300 = $360 for that day.
Alberta general holiday pay: 30 workday eligibility and 4-week window
In Alberta, an employee qualifies for general (statutory) holiday pay if they have worked for the same employer for at least 30 workdays in the 12 months before the holiday. Average daily wage is calculated by: total wages in a 4-week period ÷ days worked in that period (overtime excluded). The employer chooses which 4-week period to use: either the 4 weeks immediately before the holiday or the 4 weeks ending on the last day of the pay period before the holiday.
If the worker is scheduled to work a general holiday on their regular workday, they earn the average daily wage PLUS 1.5 times their regular wage for each hour worked. If it is not a regular workday, they earn 1.5 times only.
Alberta worked example
A temp worker in Alberta has earned $1,600 over the past 4 weeks and worked 20 days. Average daily wage is: $1,600 ÷ 20 = $80. If they work a general holiday (a regular workday) for 8 hours at $20 per hour regular rate, they earn: $80 + (8 × $20 × 1.5) = $80 + $240 = $320 for that day.
Comparison table: Ontario, BC, and Alberta
| Feature | Ontario | BC | Alberta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility window | 4 work weeks prior | 30 calendar days prior (worked or earned on 15+ of those days) | 30+ workdays in past 12 months |
| Formula for holiday pay | (Wages + vacation pay) ÷ 20 | Total wages ÷ days worked in 30 days | Total wages ÷ days worked in chosen 4-week period |
| Premium if working | 1.5x regular rate | 1.5x first 12 hours; 2x after 12 hours; PLUS average day's pay | Average daily wage + 1.5x (if regular day) OR 1.5x only (if not regular) |
| Number of statutory/general holidays | 9 | 11 | 9 |
| Employer of record for temp workers | Temp agency | Same as directly hired employees | Temp agency |
| Note on non-holidays | Boxing Day is a holiday | Boxing Day is NOT a holiday | Boxing Day and Heritage Day are NOT general holidays |
How many statutory or general holidays are there in each province?
Ontario (9 holidays)
- New Year's Day
- Family Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day (Monday before May 25)
- Canada Day
- Labour Day (1st Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving Day (2nd Monday in October)
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day (December 26)
BC (11 holidays)
- New Year's Day
- Family Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day (Monday before May 25)
- Canada Day
- BC Day (1st Monday in August)
- Labour Day (1st Monday in September)
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
- Thanksgiving Day (2nd Monday in October)
- Remembrance Day (November 11)
- Christmas Day
Note: Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, and Boxing Day are not statutory holidays in BC.
Alberta (9 holidays)
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Alberta Family Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day (Monday before May 25)
- Canada Day (July 1 or July 2 if July 1 is Sunday)
- Labour Day (1st Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving Day (2nd Monday in October)
- Remembrance Day (November 11)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Note: Boxing Day, Easter Monday, and Heritage Day are not general holidays in Alberta but may be designated as paid holidays by individual employers.
Key differences between the provinces
- Ontario uses a simple 4-week lookback; BC and Alberta require longer service history before a worker becomes eligible.
- BC's premium escalates to 2x after 12 hours worked, while Ontario and Alberta cap premium at 1.5x.
- Ontario and Alberta recognize Boxing Day as a statutory/general holiday; BC does not.
- BC has 11 statutory holidays compared to Ontario and Alberta's 9 each.
Common questions
Do temp workers qualify for statutory holiday pay?
Yes. In all three provinces, temp workers hired through a temp agency have the same statutory holiday rights as directly hired employees. The employer of record (the temp agency) is responsible for paying it.
What is the difference between Ontario's formula and BC's formula?
Ontario divides total wages (plus vacation) by 20 to get a daily rate. BC and Alberta divide total wages by the number of days actually worked in their eligibility window. Ontario does not require a specific days-worked count before becoming eligible.
If a worker works on a statutory holiday, do they still get holiday pay?
Yes. In Ontario and Alberta, they earn the base holiday pay plus a 1.5x premium for hours worked. In BC, they earn 1.5x for the first 12 hours and 2x beyond 12, in addition to their average day's pay.
Does the temp agency or the host employer pay statutory holiday pay?
The temp agency (employer of record) pays it. In Ontario and Alberta, the agency is the employer of record. In BC, the requirement applies to whoever employs the worker, which is the temp agency.
Are Boxing Day and other minor holidays treated the same across provinces?
No. Ontario and Alberta recognize Boxing Day as a statutory holiday; BC does not. Alberta does not recognize Heritage Day as a general holiday, while Ontario and BC may offer it by agreement.
How do I know which formula to use for my province?
Check your provincial government website: Ontario (ontario.ca), BC (gov.bc.ca), or Alberta (alberta.ca). Your payroll software should also apply the correct formula. Kordis exports confirmed hours so your payroll provider can apply the rates accurately.
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