How much vacation pay and time am I entitled to?
The amount of vacation an employee is entitled to is governed by the firm’s own policy, with a minimum amount prescribed under the employment standards legislation in each province.
In terms of vacation pay, many provinces calculate vacation pay from the first day an employee is working to the day they leave the company. Employers calculate 4% (except in Saskatchewan where it is 6%) of each pay cheque towards vacation pay, unless they wish to give the employees more.
Some provinces increase the minimum amount of vacation pay an employer is required to give after a certain period.
The table below shows the differences between provinces.
| PROVINCES and TERRITORIES | Vacation Pay starts being accumulated: | Extension of Vacation Time | Extension of Vacation Pay | Increase in Vacation Pay % of gross earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | After 5th day | After 5 years | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| Alberta | First day | After 5th year | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| Saskatchewan | First day | After 10th year | 4 weeks | To 8 % |
| Manitoba | First day | After 5th year | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| Ontario | First day | No | No | No |
| Quebec | First day | After 5th Year | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | After 5th day | After 15 years | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| New Brunswick | First day | After 8 years | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| Nova Scotia | First day | After 8 years | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| PEI | First day | After 8 years | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| NWT | First day | After 5 years | 3 weeks | To 6 % |
| Yukon | First day | No | No | No |
| Nunavut | First day | After 5 years | 3 weeks | To 6 % |