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Basic Country Requirements in Canada Internal

Gretchen Brooker
  • Updated

What are the public holidays in Canada?

Statutory holidays vary by province, but typically eight or nine statutory public holidays are provided each year. The federal public holidays are as follows:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Good Friday
  • Canada Day
  • Labour Day
  • Christmas Day

All other holidays vary by province. Please reach out to Velocity Global through your normal process, and we will provide you with further information on public holidays in Canada.

 

What is the probation period in Canada?

Probation periods are allowed in Canada and can range from one to three months. It is common to see either a three-month probation period or no probation at all.

Velocity Global’s standard practice is to offer a three-month probationary period. 

 

What is the notice period in Canada? 

The notice period may vary depending on a number of factors including the province, the employee’s length of service, whether the employee is unionized or not, etc. See the chart below for an overview of the statutory minimum notice periods by province and length of service. 

Employees must be provided a notice period compliant with statutory requirements and the contents of the employment agreement. Payment in lieu of notice is permitted.

Province Notice Period by Length of Service
Alberta
  • Up to 90 days: no notice required
  • 90 days to 2 years: 1 week
  • 2 years but less than 4 years: 2 weeks
  • 4 years but less than 6 years: 4 weeks
  • 6 years but less than 8 years: 5 weeks
  • 8 years but less than 10 years: 6 weeks
  • 10 years or more: 8 weeks
British Columbia
  • Up to 3 months: no notice required
  • 3 months to 1 year: 1 week
  • After 1 year: 2 weeks
  • After 3 years: 3 weeks, plus 1 week for each additional year of service up to a maximum of 8 weeks
Manitoba
  • 30 days but less than 1 year: 1 week
  • 1 year but less than 3 years: 2 weeks
  • 3 years but less than 5 years: 4 weeks
  • 5 years but less than 10 years: 6 weeks
  • 10 years or more: 8 weeks
New Brunswick
  • Less than 6 months: no notice required
  • 6 months but less than 5 years: 2 weeks or payment in lieu
  • 5 years or more: 4 weeks or payment in lieu
Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Less than 3 months: no notice required
  • 3 months to 2 years: 1 week
  • 2 years but less than 5 years: 2 weeks
  • 5 years but less than 10 years: 3 weeks
  • 10 years but less than 15 years: 4 weeks
  • 15 years or more: 6 weeks
Nova Scotia
  • Less than 3 months: no notice required
  • 3 months but less than 2 years: 1 week or payment in lieu
  • 2 years but less than 5 years: 2 weeks or payment in lieu
  • 5 years but less than 10 years: 4 weeks or payment in lieu
  • 10 years or more: 8 weeks or payment in lieu
Ontario
  • Less than 3 months: no notice required
  • 3 months but less than 1 year: 1 week
  • 1 year but less than 3 years: 2 weeks
  • 3 years but less than 4 years: 3 weeks
  • 4 years but less than 5 years: 4 weeks
  • 5 years but less than 6 years: 5 weeks
  • 6 years but less than 7 years: 6 weeks
  • 7 years but less than 8 years: 7 weeks
  • 8 years or more: 8 weeks
Prince Edward Island
  • Less than 6 months: no notice required
  • 6 months but less than 5 years: 2 weeks
  • 5 years but less than 10 years: 4 weeks
  • 10 years but less than 15 years: 6 weeks
  • 15 years or more: 8 weeks
Québec
  • Less than 3 months: no notice required
  • 3 months to 1 year: 1 week
  • 1 to 5 years: 2 weeks
  • 5 to 10 years: 4 weeks
  • 10 years or more: 8 weeks
Saskatchewan
  • Up to 13 weeks: no notice required
  • 13 weeks to 1 year: 1 week
  • 1 to 3 years: 2 weeks
  • 3 to 5 years: 4 weeks
  • 5 to 10 years: 6 weeks
  • 10 years or more: 8 weeks

 

What are the working hours in Canada?

Standard full-time working hours can range from 37.5 to 44 hours per week, depending on the province. It is typical to have a standard 7.5 or 8-hour workday. In some circumstances, employees who work in excess of 44 hours a week may be entitled to overtime pay. If this situation applies to you, please please reach out to Velocity Global through your normal process so that we can discuss the specifics of the request with you.

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