Each November 11th, we commemorate the end of World War I in 1918 with Remembrance Day. For some workers, it’s a holiday but for others it’s a regular workday. Why the difference?
Previously known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day was created to honour all the people who defended Canada in World War I. During that war, nearly 65,000 Canadians died, and another 172,000 were injured. Ceremonies honouring them are held in Quebec and the other provinces. The day is symbolized by a red poppy, a flower chosen because it sprouted on the lands decimated by bombing during the war.
Is it a holiday for you?
The answer depends on where you work. Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday for employees of federally regulated businesses because these businesses are covered by the Canada Labour Code instead of Quebec’s Act respecting labour standards.
Some examples of these businesses are:
- Radio stations
- Telecoms
- Banks
- Postal services
- Uranium extraction and refining companies
- Nuclear energy industry
- Interprovincial or international transportation companies (by boat, train, or plane)
Employees covered by the Canada Labour Code are generally entitled to the same holidays as those provided by the Act respecting labour standards. However, they have additional holidays on Remembrance Day, the day after Christmas (December 26th), and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.
Even if your workplace is not federally regulated, you may be entitled to these additional holidays as part of a collective agreement or an internal workplace policy.
To learn more about federal labour standards, read our article.