All You Want to Know About Canada Holidays 2022

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Canada Holidays 2022: Brief Introduction

Canada is a diverse country, and as such has numerous holidays based on the broad demographics of those who live there. Some of these traditions include many of their public holidays such as Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter, which are the same as those celebrated elsewhere. There are five nationwide statutory holidays, as well as six holidays for federal employees. In addition, there are a number of territorial and provincial holidays that are not celebrated nationally. Some of these, such as St Patrick’s Day, which celebrates people of Irish descent whose forefathers settled in specific areas.

Similarly, National Patriots Day is only celebrated in the province of Quebec and celebrates the French rebellion against the British. However, long before the settlers arrived, Canada was home to the indigenous populations, the First Nation peoples, and Inuit of the far north. They are now being recognized with a public holiday - National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates the cultures and contributions of the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples to the Canada we know today. But sadly, not all holidays are celebrations. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a new public holiday from 2022 for five provinces, which commemorates the victims of the Canadian Indian residential school system.

Canada Holidays 2022 Observed Date Day of Week
New Year’s Day January 3,2022 Monday
Good Friday April 15, 2022Friday
Easter Monday April 18, 2022Monday
Victoria Day May 24, 2022Tuesday
Canada Day July 1, 2022Friday
Civic Holiday August 2, 2022Tuesday
Labor Day September 6, 2022Tuesday
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation September 30, 2022Friday
ThanksgivingOctober 11, 2022Tuesday
Remembrance Day November 11, 2022Friday
Christmas Day December 26, 2022Monday
Boxing Day December 27, 2022Tuesday

Canada Holidays 2022 - New Year’s Day

January 3 2022, Monday

New Year’s Day is the first day of every year, according to the Gregorian calendar. However, like Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve is the most exciting part and is often celebrated by fireworks, when families and friends often gather together and enjoy the spectacle. Individual customs may vary across Canada, but one common to most is the making of New Year Resolutions, which are usually promises to change some aspect of behavior. For example, quitting smoking or losing weight. However, most of these promises are usually broken by the end of January. As Canada is a land of immigrants, descendants of Scots settlers might continue the tradition of First Footing where the first person over the threshold after midnight on New Year’s Eve is supposed to bring luck. Traditional food may also figure in some New Year’s Eve celebrations, but for most, it's simply party time, perhaps with live music and a glass of sparkling wine to toast in the New Year.

Canada Holidays 2022 - Good Friday

April 15 2022, Friday

In the Christian calendar, Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The date of Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and changes according to when Easter is calculated each year. Most public employers give both Good Friday and Easter Monday as a statutory public holiday. In Quebec, however, private sector employers need only give one day or the other, although some give both.

Canada Holidays 2022 - Easter Monday

April 18 2022, Monday

Easter Monday is not actually a statutory holiday in Canadian provinces, but over time most employers allow it as a holiday. Banks remain open, although many government offices remain closed on Easter Monday.

Canada Holidays 2022 – Victoria Day

May 24 2022, Tuesday

As the name suggests, Victoria Day commemorates the birthday of Queen Victoria. However, it has more recently been celebrated as the official birthday of Canada's sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. Some French Canadians celebrate Adam Dollard des Ormeaux, a French-Canadian hero. It is a statutory holiday in most provinces except Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Labrador. It also coincides with National Patriots Day in Quebec.

Canada Holidays 2022 - Canada Day

July 1 2022, Friday

July 1, 1867 is often referred to as Canada’s birthday. Canada Day commemorates the joining of the former British colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into a confederation and a dominion under the then British Empire. Having dominion status meant that Canada gained an increased level of political control of its own affairs, leading up to the independent nation status the country has today. In Holidays Canada 22, the next Canada day is July 1, 2022.

Canada Holidays 2022 – Civic Holiday

August 2 2022, Tuesday

This is a statutory holiday in certain provinces and a civic one in others. It may be a paid vacation day, depending on the employer. It is not a statutory holiday in Ontario but is widely observed in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, or Yukon.

Canada Holidays 2022 - Labor Day

September 6 2022, Tuesday

Labor Day has been a statutory public holiday since 1894. Its origins can be traced back to demonstrations in previous decades that led up to the Trade Unions Act that confirmed the legality of unions and the democratic rights of working people. An old tradition frowns upon the wearing of white after Labor Day, as it was generally seen as the color of summer. Celebrations on Labor Day include many sports events, especially between rival football teams. The next Labor Day is September 6, 2022.

Canada Holidays 2022 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 2022, Friday

This is a rather sad but important new holiday which commemorates victims of the Canadian Indian residential school system. The primarily church-affiliated residential schools were established following the Confederation in 1867 as a way of integrating the indigenous population into a more homogenous Canada. The campaign to have the indigenous victims recognized was begun in 2013, and it became a federal holiday in 2022. In Canada Holidays 2022, National Truth and Reconciliation Day is September 30.

Canada Holidays 2022 – Thanksgiving

October 11 2022, Tuesday

This is a statutory holiday in most of Canada, which celebrates the harvest and all the blessings of the past year. Its timing corresponds to the harvest festival celebrations in Britain and Europe. It has its roots in earlier thanksgiving feasts dating back as far as the 1597 voyage by the English explorer Martin Frobisher in search of the Northwest Passage. However, similar thanksgiving celebrations are known to have been made by the Spanish decades before Frobisher and later by the French settlers accompanying Samuel de Champlain. Following the American Revolution, American refugees loyal to Britain escaped to Canada and brought their own Thanksgiving customs with them, including the traditional turkey and pumpkin pie. Other Thanksgiving foods include roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes, and a variety of autumn vegetables including squash and sweet potatoes. In Canada Holidays 2022, Thanksgiving is on October 11.

Canada Holidays 2022 – Remembrance Day

November 11 2022, Friday

Remembrance Day commemorates the end of the First World War in 1918, in which, as a part of the British Empire, Canada played a major part. As the name suggests, it commemorates Canada’s war dead. However, it is not a statutory holiday in all provinces. In Manitoba, Quebec, and Ontario, it is not a statutory holiday, and in Nova Scotia, the Remembrance Day Act allows employers to give workers either Remembrance Day or another day off. In Canada Holidays 2022, Remembrance Day is on November 11.

Canada Holidays 2022 - Christmas Day

December 26 2022, Monday

Christmas Day traditionally celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. In Anglo-Saxon (i.e., British, North American and Australasian) cultures, Christmas Day is celebrated with the giving and receiving of gifts and family get-togethers over Christmas dinner. Originally a Christian celebration, it has now become largely secular.

Canada Holidays 2022 – Boxing Day

December 27 2022, Tuesday

Most employers allow Boxing Day as an extra day off over Christmas. It is often a day when families may visit other relatives or have relatives who live nearby visit them. There are various theories about the origins of Boxing Day, which originated in Great Britain, but the common thread seems to be that of giving others some form of a gift. In the Middle Ages this might have been giving alms (money) to the poor. Later this might have been extended to the tradition among wealthier families of giving a gift to tradesmen who had delivered to them throughout the year. This might also have been extended to giving faithful servants a ‘Christmas box’. In Canada Holidays 2022, Boxing Day is on December 26.

Canada Holidays 2022 - FAQ

Q: When is Family Day in Canada?

A: Family Day is February 13, 2022

Q: What is National Truth and Reconciliation Day?

A: It commemorates the victims of the Canadian Indian residential school system

Q: Does Canada celebrate Thanksgiving?

A: Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on October 11, 2022

Q: Is December 26 a statutory holiday?

A: December 26, 2022, is a statutory holiday

Q: What date is Victoria Day?

A: Victoria Day is May 24, 2022

Q: When is the next Labr Day?

A: The next Labor Day is September 6, 2022

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