I know moving to a new country is always full of excitement with some challenges. You shift your living style to an entirely new place according to its culture, traditions, lifestyle, occasions, and regulations. When my friend moved to Ontario, Canada, it took him quite a time to understand things there and know the city better.

Ontario is located in Canada, famous for its natural beauty and it’s the nation’s wealthiest province. With multiple attractions, the city boasts a perfect host for visitors and locals. It also emphasizes the work-life balance of its residents by allowing them to have different holidays. 

But, for the new immigrants as my friend, it’s sometimes a bit confusing to understand the holidays in Ontario and make the most of their time. He told me, it took him some time to get the difference between civic and statutory holidays in Ontario. So, I would like to share with you here the concept of these holidays.

Civic and Statutory Holidays

Civic holidays are nonpartisan days that are meant to celebrate the democratic achievements of the place. These holidays bring communities and people together for voting and participation in the celebration. It can be described as a public holiday in any area.

In Canada, a civic holiday is on the first Monday of August. Specifically, in Ontario, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, a civic holiday is a public holiday, which means schools and most businesses are closed. The civic holiday is an optional holiday, and employers can choose to give their workers a holiday.

My friend told me that earlier he used to get confused with civic holidays as they are entitled to different names in different parts of Canada, but one of its most common names is the August civic holiday.

In Alberta, it is known as Heritage Day; in some parts of Nova Scotia, the civic holiday is called Natal Day; and in New Brunswick, it is called New Brunswick Day. On this holiday, pay is given to workers along with a bonus, and hence, employees use this holiday for vacation, which is why the civic holiday is also called the second long weekend in the summer.

Let me provide you with some more interesting facts relating to it. In Ontario, 2008, the Ontario Legislature passed a law identifying the first of August as “Emancipation Day” as a civic holiday.

This is a much-awaited holiday as it lets the employees blow off some steam with a paid holiday and is a good time to spend time with friends or have a family day. Public holiday pay is calculated by adding the number of hours the employee has worked in the four work weeks before the holiday and dividing that by 20. People also take this time to travel or spend time in country houses. The Civic Holiday is a time of fireworks, celebration, and relaxation all over Canada

On the other hand, Statutory holidays are also public holidays. In Canada, a statutory holiday is legislated by the federal government or a provincial or territorial government meant for special occasions. Public and private officials can take the day off with regular pay. They are mostly compulsory, as the government announces them as public holidays.

Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) has minimum standards that employers must meet to get statutory holiday pay. However, Remembrance Day is a non-statutory holiday in Ontario.

Now the Question Arises- Is the Civic Holiday a Statutory Holiday in Ontario?

After knowing about both civic holidays and statutory holidays, the primary thing is to know the difference between them. Only then, you can utilize these to the best.

The major difference between these holidays is that on a civic holiday, the employer chooses whether or not they want to shut their business and give holiday pay to its workers to have some fun. Civic Day is celebrated just to provide the citizens with a break from working, while statutory holidays are meant for national holidays that must be celebrated countrywide with unity and strength.

So, the answer to the question is no. Both holidays have their own importance in the lives of the people of Ontario. Statutory holidays have their own traditions and evolution. The civic holiday is a holiday meant to provide the citizens with a break and time to spend with family.

The Best Places to Visit in Ontario If You Get a Day Off During the Civic Holiday

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My friend says that for new immigrants participating in a Civic holiday is always a wonderful opportunity to explore Ontario and bond in your new community. And, one shouldn’t miss it.

Niagara Falls definitely tops the list for everyone who thinks of travelling somewhere in Ontario. There are three groups of waterfalls with huge amounts of water flowing from such high altitudes. Most of the high-altitude waterfalls don’t have a good volume of water flowing, and that is what makes Niagara Falls different from others. Some other places that are famous in Ontario are:

• CN Tower: It was once the tallest building and now is second to Burj Khalifa. The height of the tower is 553 metres in the air.
• Royal Ontario Museum: This is the largest museum in Canada and attracts millions of tourists every year.
• Casa Loma: The best place to play your royal fantasy The place with a castle and the most beautiful garden
• Parliament Hill: If you enjoy unique architecture and aesthetic buildings, this is the place for you.
• Blue Mountain Ski Resort is the best destination for skiing all over Ontario.
• Canada’s Wonderland: Time to enjoy some rides, have the time of your life, and many more.

So, if you are also settling in Ontario, a basic understanding of these holidays will help you plan and manage your time effectively and develop a strong community bond. Statutory holidays ensure your time for national celebrations, while civic holidays in August give people a more flexible way to come together. For new immigrants, embracing these holidays is the best way to connect with the beautiful city.

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani