The short version
- Almost everywhere in Canada, employees earn at least two weeks of vacation a year with 4% vacation pay, rising to three weeks and 6% after a set number of years with the same employer.
- The number of years differs: 3 in Quebec, 5 in most provinces, 8 in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, 15 in Newfoundland and Labrador. Yukon stays at two weeks.
- Saskatchewan is the most generous: three weeks from the first year, four weeks after 10 years. Federally regulated employers add a fourth week after 10 years.
- These are minimums. Your contract or collective agreement can give more, never less.
At a glance
Vacation time is the paid time off; vacation pay is the money for it, a percentage of the wages earned in the year that earned the vacation.
| Jurisdiction | Vacation time | Vacation pay |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 2 weeks after each of the first 4 years; 3 weeks after 5 years | 4%; 6% with 3 weeks |
| British Columbia | 2 weeks after 12 months; 3 weeks after 5 years | 4% (after 5 calendar days); 6% after 5 years |
| Manitoba | 2 weeks after each of the first 4 years; 3 weeks after 5 years | 4%; 6% with 3 weeks |
| New Brunswick | 2 weeks, or 1 day per month worked if less; 3 weeks (or 1¼ days per month) at 8 years | 4%; 6% at 8 years |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2 weeks; 3 weeks at 15 years | 4%; 6% at 15 years |
| Nova Scotia | 2 weeks; 3 weeks after 8 years | 4%; 6% from the start of the 8th year |
| Northwest Territories | 2 weeks for each of the first 5 years; 3 weeks from the 6th year | 4%; 6% after 5 years |
| Nunavut | 2 weeks for each of the first 5 years; 3 weeks for each later year | 4%; 6% with 3 weeks |
| Ontario | 2 weeks; 3 weeks after 5 years | 4%; 6% after 5 years |
| Prince Edward Island | 2 weeks; 3 weeks after 5 years | 4%; 6% after 5 years |
| Quebec | Under 1 year: 1 day per month (max. 2 weeks); 2 weeks after 1 year; 3 weeks after 3 years | 4%; 6% at 3 years |
| Saskatchewan | 3 weeks; 4 weeks after 10 years | 3/52 of wages (≈5.77%); 4/52 (≈7.69%) after 10 years |
| Yukon | 2 weeks | 4% |
| Federal (Canada Labour Code) | 2 weeks after 1 year; 3 weeks after 5 years; 4 weeks after 10 years | 4%; 6%; 8% |
Federal rules apply only to federally regulated employers, such as banks, airlines, railways, telecommunications and interprovincial trucking. Everyone else follows their province or territory.
How vacation pay works
Vacation pay is a percentage of the employee's gross wages for the year that earned the vacation: 4% matches two weeks (2 ÷ 52 is about 3.85%, rounded up), 6% matches three weeks and 8% matches four. Most provinces count regular wages, overtime and commissions, but not the vacation pay itself.
Employers can usually pay it in a lump sum before the vacation starts, or add it to each pay cheque if the employee agrees, depending on the province. Either way, the employee still gets the time off: paying out vacation pay doesn't replace the vacation.
When employment ends, any vacation pay that's been earned and not yet paid is owed on the final pay, even if the employee worked less than a year.
Notes by province
Alberta. Employees aren't entitled to vacation time in their first year unless their contract says so; time on job-protected leave counts toward years of employment.
British Columbia. Employers don't have to give time off in the first year, and can't require vacation in blocks shorter than one week, though employees may ask for shorter periods. Vacation pay is due at least 7 days before the vacation, or on regular paydays if agreed in writing.
Manitoba. Vacation accrues from the first day of work and must be taken within 10 months of being earned. Employers give 15 days' notice and can't split it into periods shorter than a week.
New Brunswick. The vacation pay year runs July 1 to June 30. Vacation is given within four months after it ends, and pay is due at least one day before the vacation.
Newfoundland and Labrador. To qualify for vacation time, an employee needs 12 continuous months and at least 90% of available working hours. Vacation pay is owed after 5 work days even if the employee doesn't qualify for time off.
Nova Scotia. The pay rate rises a year before the time does: 6% from the start of the 8th year, three weeks once the 9th year begins. Employers give at least one week's notice.
Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Both step up to three weeks and 6% after the first five years with the same employer. In the NWT, vacation must be given within 6 months after the year that earned it.
Ontario. Entitlement is measured at the end of each vacation entitlement year, so someone who reaches five years at any point in that year gets three weeks for it. Employers can use an alternative vacation year with a pro-rated stub period.
Prince Edward Island. The Employment Standards Act, as amended and consolidated to June 30, 2026, sets the three-week and 6% threshold at five years. Some older provincial guides still say eight years.
Quebec. The reference year runs May 1 to April 30 unless the employer sets another. The 6% rate applies to the whole reference year in which the employee reaches three years of service.
Saskatchewan. Vacation must be allowed within 12 months of becoming entitled; unused vacation pay is due within 11 months. Time on leave counts toward service, up to 78 weeks.
Yukon. Vacation pay starts after 14 days of continuous employment, and vacation time is due within 10 months after each completed year. There's no statutory increase with years of service.
Federal. Vacation must start within 10 months after the year of employment that earned it. The 3-week (5 years) and 4-week (10 years) thresholds have applied since September 1, 2019.
Keeping track without a spreadsheet
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Each row was checked against the government's own employment standards guidance or legislation on October 15, 2026: Alberta · British Columbia · Manitoba · New Brunswick · Newfoundland and Labrador · Nova Scotia · Northwest Territories · Nunavut · Ontario · Prince Edward Island · Quebec (CNESST) · Saskatchewan · Yukon · Federal.
This guide summarizes minimum standards for general information. It isn't legal advice, some industries and roles have special rules, and rules change. For a specific situation, check your province's employment standards office.