Canadian overtime and stat holiday pay by province

Alberta uses the 8/44 rule for most covered employees: calculate overtime above eight hours in a day and above 44 hours in a week, then use whichever total produces more overtime hours. The usual overtime rate is 1.5 times the employee’s wage. Break requirements depend on shift length, beginning with one 30-minute break for a shift longer than five hours but shorter than 10 hours.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

For most employees covered by B.C. employment standards, daily overtime starts after eight hours, double time starts after 12 hours, and weekly overtime starts after 40 hours. Only the first eight hours worked in each day count toward weekly overtime. A 30-minute meal break is required when an employee works more than five hours in a row.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

For most Manitoba employees, overtime begins after eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week and is paid at 1.5 times the regular wage. A 30-minute unpaid break is generally required after five consecutive hours. Different rules can apply under a permit, averaging agreement or listed industry exception.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

New Brunswick generally requires overtime after 44 hours in a week. The statutory overtime rate is 1.5 times the provincial minimum wage rather than 1.5 times every employee’s regular wage, although an employer may pay more. Employees must receive at least 30 minutes of rest after each five consecutive hours of work.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

Newfoundland and Labrador generally requires overtime after 40 hours in a week. The minimum overtime wage is set at 1.5 times the provincial minimum wage rather than automatically using each employee’s regular wage. The general rest rule provides a one-hour break after each five consecutive hours, subject to exceptions and approved arrangements.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

Nova Scotia’s general overtime rule is 1.5 times the regular wage after 48 hours in a consistent seven-day week. Some occupations use different thresholds or rate bases. Employees are entitled to an unbroken 30-minute break so they do not work more than five consecutive hours without one, with additional break time on shifts longer than 10 hours.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

In the Northwest Territories, overtime generally starts after eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week and is paid at 1.5 times the regular wage. The weekly threshold falls to 32 hours in a week containing a paid statutory holiday. Employees generally receive a 30-minute break after five continuous hours.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

Nunavut generally uses daily overtime after eight hours and weekly overtime after 40 hours, paid at 1.5 times the regular wage. Employees are entitled to at least a 30-minute break after five continuous hours. Holiday pay depends on whether the employee is time-based or falls under the alternate average-wage formula.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

For most Ontario employees covered by the ESA, overtime starts after 44 hours in a work week and is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. Ontario does not use a general daily overtime threshold. Employees must receive a 30-minute eating period before working more than five consecutive hours, subject to the ESA rules and exemptions.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

Prince Edward Island generally requires overtime after 44 hours in a week at 1.5 times the employee’s regular wage. Employees normally receive a 30-minute meal break after no more than five consecutive hours. An averaging agreement or listed employee category can change the general result.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

For most Quebec employees covered by the Act respecting labour standards, the standard workweek is 40 hours and overtime is generally paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly wage. After five consecutive hours, an employee must receive a 30-minute meal break. The break is paid when the employee must remain at the workstation.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

Saskatchewan’s standard plan generally produces overtime after eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, while an approved four-day schedule can use 10-hour days. The weekly threshold falls to 32 hours in a week with a public holiday. A 30-minute meal break is required within every five hours of work.

Sources checked 2026-07-30

Yukon generally requires overtime after eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week at 1.5 times the regular wage, with a 32-hour weekly threshold in a week containing a general holiday. Meal timing depends on shift length: no more than five consecutive hours on a day of 10 hours or less, and six on a longer day.

Sources checked 2026-07-30