Leave: the entitlements differ substantially across the country

By The Saplic team Updated on Aug 11, 2026

Including a large recent change to illness leave in three provinces.

For guidance only

The amounts and deadlines in this guide can change by law. Always check the update date and the official sources cited below. For a specific case, consult the labour authority or a professional.

In this guide
  1. Personal illness and injury leave
  2. Domestic violence leave
  3. Bereavement leave
  4. Vacation pay
  5. Statutory holidays
  6. Quebec again
  7. Where the standards conflict
  8. What to check

Leave entitlements in Canada are set provincially, with the federal regime applying to federally regulated workers. The differences are substantial.

Personal illness and injury leave

A significant recent change: effective 1 January 2026, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba extended personal illness and injury leave to 27 weeks, aligning with federal standards.

That is a large increase from previous entitlements in those provinces.

Domestic violence leave

The paid portion varies considerably:

  • British Columbia and Ontario: 5 days paid
  • Federal, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI, Saskatchewan and Yukon: generally 10 days paid
  • Quebec: 26 weeks, with paid benefits via QPIP

Bereavement leave

Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not have specific statutory bereavement leave; employers there typically follow federal standards or company policy.

NT and NU share identical employment standards legislation for vacation pay purposes, and rules are applied uniformly between them.

Vacation pay

Vacation entitlement and vacation pay rates are set provincially, typically as a percentage of wages that increases with length of service.

Statutory holidays

The list and the pay rules differ by province. Some holidays are national, others provincial.

Quebec again

Quebec has additional leave entitlements beyond other provinces, governed by the Act respecting labour standards, alongside its separate QPIP benefits.

Where the standards conflict

Where provincial and federal rules differ, apply the standard that governs your jurisdiction — determined by your industry, not by preference.

What to check

Your province's current entitlements, since several changed for 2026, and whether your employer's policy improves on them. Employers frequently offer more than the statutory minimum.

Frequently asked questions

What changed for illness leave in 2026?
Effective 1 January 2026, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba extended personal illness and injury leave to 27 weeks, aligning with federal standards.
How much domestic violence leave is paid?
British Columbia and Ontario provide 5 days paid; the federal jurisdiction and most other provinces generally provide 10 days paid; Quebec provides 26 weeks with paid benefits via QPIP.
Do all provinces have bereavement leave?
No. Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not have specific statutory bereavement leave, and employers there typically follow federal standards or company policy.
How is vacation pay set?
Provincially, typically as a percentage of wages that increases with length of service. Entitlements and rates differ across the country.
Which standard applies if provincial and federal rules differ?
The one governing your jurisdiction, which is determined by your industry rather than by preference.

Sources

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