Labour Day 1997
Do you get the day off?
NationwideStatutory — paid day off, or premium pay if you work it
Federally regulated jobsBanks, airlines, telecoms, federal offices — off nationwide
- The date, and why
- Labour Day 2026 in Ontario falls on Monday, September 7 — the first Monday of September. This creates a 3-day long weekend (Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7).
- Where it counts as statutory
- Ontario: Statutory under the ESA. Federally regulated employees (banks, airlines, telecoms) also get Labour Day under the Canada Labour Code. Other provinces have their own statutory holiday rules — check your province's employment standards.
- What closes
- Banks, government offices (including Service Ontario), and schools close. Under Ontario's Retail Business Holidays Act, most retail businesses must close, with exceptions for certain essential services, tourist areas, and malls with individual store exemptions. Grocery stores and restaurants typically operate with reduced hours.
- Where the name comes from
- Labour Day honours the labour movement and workers' contributions to society. Canada was the second country (after the US) to officially recognize Labour Day, first celebrated in 1872 following the Toronto printers' strike. Ontario made it a statutory holiday in 1894.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Labour Day 1997 in Ontario?
- Labour Day 1997 in Ontario is Monday, September 1. It always falls on the first Monday of September, creating a 3-day long weekend (August 30–September 1).
- Is Labour Day a statutory holiday in Ontario?
- Yes. Labour Day is one of the 9 public holidays listed in Ontario's Employment Standards Act (ESA). Employees are entitled to the day off with public holiday pay, or premium pay plus a substitute day if they work.
- Does my employer have to give me Labour Day off in Ontario?
- Under the ESA, most employees are entitled to Labour Day off with public holiday pay. If you work, you're entitled to premium pay (time-and-a-half) plus a substitute day off. Some exemptions apply to specific industries — check the ESA for details.
- Is Labour Day a federal holiday in Canada?
- Yes. Labour Day is a statutory holiday under the Canada Labour Code for federally regulated employees (banks, airlines, telecoms, federal offices). It is also a statutory holiday in all provinces and territories, though specific rules vary by jurisdiction.