Why Is Remembrance Day a Holiday for Some?

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Each November 11th, we commemorate the end of World War I in 1918 with Remembrance Day. For some workers, it’s a holiday and for others not. Why?

Is my workplace federally regulated?

Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday for federally regulated businesses. These businesses are covered by the Canada Labour Code instead of the Act respecting labour standards.

Some examples of these businesses are:

  • Radio stations
  • Telecoms
  • Banks
  • Postal service
  • Uranium extraction and refining
  • Nuclear energy industry
  • Transportation between provinces or internationally by boat, train, or plane  

These are generally services that can be provided in one province as easily as another, or between provinces.

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 also have Remembrance Day, the day after Christmas, as well as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.

Of course, your collective agreement or your workplace may give you these holidays even if you do not work in a federally regulated business.

To learn more about federal labour standards, read our article.