Do you have health insurance for Canada?
Do you have health insurance for Canada?
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If you’re working in Canada, your rights as an employee are protected by law. The vast majority of Canadian employers comply by the rules and provide positive and safe workplace environments.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case, so it is crucial to know what you can expect from employers, and how to make sure you are treated well in the workplace.
Most employees are protected by provincial law, but some industries are federally-regulated. See this page to find out if jobs in your field may be provincially-governed or federally-regulated.
Your labour rights in Canada
Each province and territory has its own Human Rights Act or Code, which governs employment rights in the province. These rights and standards are largely the same across Canada – the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion provides a detailed comparison.
To cut out the legalese, the basic thing you need to know is this: you have rights in the workplace, and there are mechanisms to help you if your rights are abused.
Your rights on the job in Canada
Throughout your career, you’ll benefit from certain rights at work relating to pay, schedule, sickness or holiday leave, and other aspects of working life. Overall these are fairly similar across the country, although there can be slight differences between provinces.
One key takeaway that applies across the country is the number of hours in a work week. A working day is usually considered to be eight hours long (this may include an unpaid break). Over a five-day work week, this means that most full-time workers clock around 35 to 40 hours. However, working anywhere from 30 to 40 hours per week is usually considered full-time employment, for the purposes of benefits and deductions calculations (for example, even if you work 30 hours a week, you could be eligible for the benefits and deductions applicable to a full-time employee).
If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you should usually be entitled to overtime pay. This can vary by position and industry, so check the provincial advice pages linked below. When in doubt, it is always appropriate to ask about these details in a job interview or when you are hired.
The conditions for vacation pay vary between provinces, but again the basics are the same: employees earn vacation pay at a rate of four percent, which equates to two weeks’ vacation per year if you’re working full-time (this usually goes up to six percent and three weeks’ vacation after a number of years with the same employer). However, it is important to note that every employee earns vacation pay on their earnings: if you are employed part-time, you also have a right to vacation pay equalling four percent of your earnings.

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Every province and territory also has its own conditions for “job-protected” or authorized leaves, such as sick days, bereavement leaves, and maternity/paternity leave. The conditions and entitlements vary, but the underlying concept is the same: wherever you work in Canada, there are ways for you to take the time off that you need, during which your job is protected. That is, if the absence meets the conditions set out in the province or territory’s labour standards, your employer cannot fire you, and must let you return to work if you wish to.
Take a look below for a summary of more key facts by province.
Working in Alberta
– Minimum wage: $15 per hour. Some exceptions apply. Employees called in to work must be paid for at least two hours, even if they work less.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees earn vacation time during the first year they’re employed. After 12 months, they get two weeks of annual vacation. After five years, they get three weeks of annual vacation.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to five days’ personal or health-related leave per year, paid or unpaid. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Alberta Employment Standards complaints
– Learn more: Alberta Employment Standards
Working in British Columbia
– Minimum wage: $13.85 per hour. Scheduled to rise to $14.60 per hour on June 1, 2020, and $15.20 per hour on June 1, 2021. Varies for liquor servers, live-in caregivers, farm workers, and some other positions. Employees called in to work must be paid at least two hours, even if they work less.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees earn vacation time during the first year they’re employed. After 12 months, they get two weeks of annual vacation. After five years, they get three weeks of annual vacation.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to five days’ unpaid Family Responsibility Leave, for personal illness or family needs. No required paid sick leave, although paid sick days can be offered as a benefit. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: BC Employment Standards: Make a complaint
– Learn more: BC Employment Standards
Working in Manitoba
– Minimum wage: $11.35 per hour – going up to $11.65 on October 1, 2019.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees get at least two weeks’ vacation time for the first four years of employment. After five years, they get three weeks of annual vacation.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to three days’ personal or health-related leave per year, unpaid. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Employment Standards Help
– Learn more: Employment Standards Home
Working in New Brunswick
– Minimum wage: $11.50 per hour. Employees called in to work must be paid at least three hours, even if they work less.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees who have worked less than eight years with the employer get one day of vacation time for each month worked, or two weeks of vacation per year, whichever is less. After eight years, they get 1.25 days for every month worked, or three weeks per year, whichever is less.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to five days’ sick leave and up to three days’ family-related leave per year, both unpaid. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Employment Standards Complaints
– Learn more: Employment Standards Home
Working in Newfoundland
– Minimum wage: $11.40 per hour.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees begin accruing vacation pay once they have been employed for five days, and get two weeks’ vacation per year. After fifteen years with the same employer, they get three weeks per year.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to seven days’ personal or health-related leave per year, unpaid. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Contact Labour Standards
– Learn more: Labour Standards
Working in the Northwest Territories
– Minimum wage: $13.46 per hour.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees get two weeks paid vacation per year. After five years with the same employer, this goes up to three weeks per year.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to five days’ health-related leave per year, unpaid. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Employment Standards Complaints
– Learn more: Employment Standards
Working in Nova Scotia
– Minimum wage: $11.05 per hour for inexperienced employees, and $11.55 per hour for experienced employees. Employees called in to work must be paid at least three hours, even if they work less. Further conditions or exceptions may apply.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees who have worked between one and eight years with the employer get two weeks of vacation time per year. After eight years, they get three weeks per year.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to three days’ personal or health-related leave per year, unpaid. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Complaint Process
– Learn more: Employment Rights
Working in Nunavut
– Minimum wage: $13.00 per hour.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees get two weeks paid vacation per year. After five years with the same employer, this goes up to three weeks per year.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Sick leave is not outlined in Nunavut’s Labour Standards. Those pursuing employment in Nunavut should ask prospective employers about sick leave during the hiring process.
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Labour Standards Board
– Learn more: Labour Standards FAQs
Working in Ontario
– Minimum wage: $14 per hour until September 30, 2020. Varies for students, liquor servers, and some other positions. Employees called in to work must be paid for at least three hours, even if they work less.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees earn vacation time during the first year they’re employed. After 12 months, they get two weeks of annual vacation. After five years, they get three weeks of annual vacation.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes to one hour, unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: minimum three days’ unpaid per year. Other leave rights apply (for example, parental or bereavement leave). Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Ontario Employment Standards
– Learn more: Ontario Employee Standards Act (ESA)
Working in Prince Edward Island
– Minimum wage: $12.25 per hour (revised April 1 each year).
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees get two weeks paid vacation per year. After eight years with the same employer, this goes up to three weeks per year.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to three days’ personal sick leave (after three months of employment) and up to three days’ family-related leave (after six months’ employment), both unpaid. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Workers Compensation
– Learn more: Employment Standards
Working in Quebec
– Minimum wage: $12.50 per hour. Some exceptions apply. Employees called in to work must be paid for at least three hours, even if they work less.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees get one day of vacation time per full month of uninterrupted employment during the first year they’re employed. After 12 months, they get two weeks of annual vacation. After three years, they get three weeks of annual vacation.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Two days of paid leave per year. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: CNESST complaints
– Learn more: CNESST
Working in Saskatchewan
– Minimum wage: $11.06 per hour – going up to $11.32 on October 1, 2019. Employees called in to work must be paid at least three hours, even if they work less.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees who have worked at least one year with the same employer get three weeks’ vacation time. After ten years, they get four weeks of annual vacation.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to 12 days’ personal or health-related leave per year, unpaid. Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Employment Standards Complaints
– Learn more: Employment Standards Home
Working in Yukon
– Minimum wage: $13.46 per hour.
– Minimum annual leave for full-time workers: Employees get two weeks paid vacation per year.
– Minimum break time: 30 minutes, paid or unpaid, within five hours of starting a shift.
– Sick leave: Up to 12 days’ health-related leave per year, unpaid (each day is earned per month, so you don’t get 12 days immediately on January 1). Other authorized leaves are available (for example, parental or bereavement leave).
– Who to contact if you have an issue at work: Employment Standards Complaints
– Learn more: Employment Standards
Statutory holidays in Canada
Several statutory, or “bank”, holidays are celebrated across Canada, and employees get these days off in addition to their vacation time. Adding to statutory holidays, there are also provincial holidays.
If a holiday falls during your scheduled vacation, you still get it as an additional vacation day (for example, if you take five business days off work over the July 1 weekend, you would use up only four days of your vacation time). If you are required to work on a recognized holiday, overtime wages may apply – the way this is calculated can vary by province, so check their pages for more information.
Holiday | Day Observed (in 2019) | Observance by province |
---|---|---|
New Year's Day | January 1, 2019 | Nationwide |
Family Day (name varies in some provinces) | Third Monday in February | BC,AB,SK,MB,ON,NB,NS,PE |
St. Patrick's Day | March 17 (or the following Monday, if the 17th falls on a weekend) | NL |
Good Friday | Friday before Easter Sunday | Nationwide |
Easter Monday | Monday after Easter Sunday | QC(employer/employee can choose whether to give Good Friday or Easter Monday), AB (optional) |
St. George's Day | Monday closest to April 23 | NL |
Victoria Day National Patriotes Day in QC | Monday preceding May 25th | Nationwide except NB, NS, PE, NL |
National Aboriginal Day | June 21, 2019 | NT,YT |
Féte Nationale St. Jean Baptiste Day | June 24, 2019 | QC |
Discovery Day | June 24, 2019 | NL |
Canada Day Memorial Day in NFL | July 1, 2019 | Nationwide |
Nunavut Day | July 9, 2019 | NT |
Orangemen’s Day | Monday closest to July 12 | NL |
Civic Holiday (name varies by province) | First Monday in August | AB (optional), BC, SK, ON (optional), NB,NU |
Discovery Day | Third Monday in August | YT |
Labour Day | First Monday of September | Nationwide |
Thanksgiving | Second Monday in October | Nationwide except NB, NS, PE, NL |
Remembrance Day | November 11, 2019 | Nationwide except ON, QC, NS, NL |
Christmas Day | December 25, 2019 | Nationwide |
Boxing Day | December 26, 2019 | ON, AB (optional), NL, NU |
The information above is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of employment rights and labour law.
Working in Canada should be a safe, profitable, and rewarding experience for everyone, and this is the case for the overwhelming majority of people, but it always helps to know your rights.

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