If you work in Canada, you might expect a day off on November 11, but the answer varies by province and employer. Across the Commonwealth, rules are patchy, leaving many wondering: is Remembrance Day actually a paid holiday?

4 related posts

Countries where Remembrance Day is observed: More than 15 Commonwealth countries ·
Provinces/territories in Canada where it is a statutory holiday: 6 provinces, 3 territories (as of 2025) ·
National public holiday status in Ireland: Not a public holiday; October bank holiday is separate ·
National public holiday status in Australia: Not a national public holiday; observed in some states ·
National public holiday status in the United Kingdom: Not a public holiday; observed on nearest Sunday ·
Year Remembrance Day was first observed: 1919 (as Armistice Day)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Remembrance Day is observed on November 11 in most Commonwealth countries (Office Holidays)
  • In Canada, it is a statutory holiday for federally regulated employees (Payworks Blog)
  • In the United Kingdom, it is not a public holiday; the national ceremony is on Remembrance Sunday (UK Government)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether certain Australian states will declare a public holiday in future years (Victoria has considered it) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • If Northern Ireland will adopt a standalone public holiday for Remembrance Day (nidirect)
  • The exact number of countries where Remembrance Day is a paid holiday for all workers (varies by employer agreements) (Fair Work Ombudsman)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Potential vote on making Remembrance Day a public holiday in Victoria, Australia (Fair Work Ombudsman)
  • Ongoing petitions in Northern Ireland for a dedicated bank holiday (nidirect)
  • Increased employer flexibility in Canada for federal employees under the Canada Labour Code (Payworks Blog)

Here’s a quick reference of key facts about Remembrance Day.

Fact Value
Date November 11 (or nearest Sunday in UK)
First observed 1919 as Armistice Day
Countries observing Over 15 Commonwealth nations
Canada statutory holiday Yes, in 6 provinces and 3 territories (remainder observe but not statutory)
UK public holiday No; bank holiday on November 11 does not exist
Australia public holiday Not nationally; some states have a half-day or full holiday

Who gets Remembrance Day off?

Employees in federally regulated sectors in Canada

  • Under the Canada Labour Code, Remembrance Day is a general holiday for federal government workers and employees in federally regulated industries (banks, airlines, telecoms, etc.). These workers get a paid day off (Payworks Blog).
  • If November 11 falls on a weekend, qualifying employees in Newfoundland and Labrador receive the following business day off in lieu (Payworks Blog).

Public sector workers in certain provinces

  • In provinces where Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday (Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba*, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the three territories), public sector employees get the day off with pay.
  • *Manitoba designates it an “Official day of Observance” but not a statutory holiday (Wikipedia – Public holidays in Canada).

Private sector workers where it is a statutory holiday

  • In the provinces and territories that list Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday (see list above), private sector employees are generally entitled to the day off or premium pay if they work (Wikipedia – Public holidays in Canada).
  • Ontario treats Remembrance Day as an optional statutory holiday; employers can choose to observe it or not (Payworks Blog).

Workers in countries where it is not a public holiday

  • In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Day is not a public holiday. Banks and most businesses remain open; national ceremonies occur on Remembrance Sunday (UK Government).
  • In Ireland, November 11 is a normal working day. The October bank holiday is unrelated to Remembrance Day (Citizens Information (Ireland)).
  • In Australia, entitlement depends on the state and applicable award. Only a few states (e.g., New South Wales, South Australia) provide a part-day or full public holiday (Fair Work Ombudsman).

Is Monday a public holiday for Remembrance Day?

  • In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday is observed on the second Sunday of November, but it is not a public holiday.
  • In Newfoundland and Labrador, if November 11 falls on a weekend, the following Monday is given as a day in lieu for eligible federal employees.
Bottom line: Remembrance Day is a paid day off for some workers—mainly in Canada’s federally regulated and several provincial public sectors. In the UK, Ireland, and Australia, it is not a guaranteed public holiday. Workers in Canada’s private sector in provinces like Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia do not automatically get the day off.

The pattern: holiday status depends more on jurisdiction than on the day’s significance.

The upshot

Canada’s patchwork of provincial laws means that a federal employee in Ottawa gets a paid holiday, while a retail worker in the same city may have to clock in. The discrepancy underscores how Remembrance Day’s public holiday status depends more on jurisdiction than on the day’s significance.

Where is Remembrance Day a stat holiday in Canada?

Provinces that observe it as a statutory holiday

  • British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba (official observance, not statutory), New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the three territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) all recognize Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday or official day of observance (Wikipedia – Public holidays in Canada).

Provinces where it is not a statutory holiday

  • Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia do not list Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday under provincial employment law (Payworks Blog).
  • In Nova Scotia, the Remembrance Day Act prohibits most work on November 11, but it is not a paid holiday (Wikipedia – Public holidays in Canada).
The catch

Even in “statutory” provinces, private employers may need to provide pay or a day off—but enforcement and exemptions vary. The result: no single answer to “is Remembrance Day a stat holiday in Canada?” without knowing the province and sector.

The implication: provincial patchwork leaves many workers without guaranteed paid time off.

Is November 11 a legal holiday?

Legal holiday vs public holiday vs bank holiday

  • A “legal holiday” generally means a day when government offices and schools close, and workers are entitled to time off or extra pay. In Canada, Remembrance Day is a legal holiday for federal employees under the Canada Labour Code (Payworks Blog).
  • In the UK, “bank holidays” are set by legislation; Remembrance Day is not one of them. The term “public holiday” is used more loosely (UK Government).
  • In Ireland, “public holidays” are defined by the Organisation of Working Time Act. November 11 is not listed (Citizens Information (Ireland)).

Federal vs state/provincial legislation

  • In Canada, the federal government sets holidays for its own employees; provinces legislate for the rest. This dual system creates the patchwork.
  • In Australia, the federal government declares national holidays, but states can create additional holidays. Remembrance Day is not a national holiday (Fair Work Ombudsman).

What this means: the term “legal holiday” applies only to specific jurisdictions, not universally.

Why is Remembrance Day on November 11?

Origins of Armistice Day

  • The armistice ending World War I was signed at 5:45 a.m. on November 11, 1918, and came into effect at 11:00 a.m.—the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (Office Holidays).
  • First observed as Armistice Day in 1919, the date was chosen to honor those who died in the Great War (Office Holidays).

Shift to Remembrance Day

  • After World War II, many Commonwealth countries renamed the day Remembrance Day to honor fallen soldiers from both world wars and later conflicts (Wikipedia).

The pattern: the date remains fixed to the original armistice moment.

How is Remembrance Day celebrated?

Two-minute silence at 11 am

  • A two-minute silence is observed in many Commonwealth countries at 11 a.m. local time to reflect on the sacrifices of service members (UK Government – Remembrance).

Wearing poppies

  • The poppy is the symbol of remembrance, popularized by the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. In Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion conducts a similar campaign (Royal Canadian Legion).

Ceremonies at war memorials

  • National ceremonies take place at the Cenotaph in London (on Remembrance Sunday), the National War Memorial in Ottawa, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and other local memorials.

The catch: even where it is not a public holiday, remembrance rituals remain widely observed.

What time is Remembrance Day?

Observation on November 11 at 11:00 a.m.

  • Traditional observance is 11 a.m. local time on November 11 (Office Holidays).
  • The UK holds Remembrance Sunday on the second Sunday of November, with a national ceremony at the Cenotaph (UK Government – Remembrance).
  • Canada and Australia observe a national moment of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11, regardless of the day of the week.

Five Commonwealth countries, one common date—but four different answers to the question “is it a public holiday?” The pattern is clear: Remembrance Day’s public holiday status is less about the day’s meaning and more about how each country’s labour laws and historical choices have evolved.

Country Public holiday status Details
Canada (federal) Statutory holiday Paid day off for federal employees and in most provinces (Payworks Blog)
Canada (provinces) Varies Statutory in 6 provinces + 3 territories; not statutory in ON, QC, NS (Wikipedia)
United Kingdom Not a public holiday Bank holiday does not exist; observed on Remembrance Sunday (UK Government)
Ireland Not a public holiday November 11 is a normal working day (Citizens Information)
Australia Not nationally; varies by state Some states observe a part-day or full public holiday (Fair Work Ombudsman)
New Zealand Not a public holiday Commemorated but no automatic day off

Confirmed facts

  • Remembrance Day is observed on November 11 in most Commonwealth countries.
  • In Canada, it is a statutory holiday for federally regulated employees and in most provinces.
  • In the United Kingdom, it is not a public holiday; the national ceremony is on Remembrance Sunday.
  • In Ireland, November 11 is not a public holiday; the October bank holiday is unrelated.
  • In Australia, Remembrance Day is not a national public holiday.

What remains unclear

  • Whether certain Australian states will declare a public holiday in future years (e.g., Victoria has considered it).
  • If Northern Ireland will adopt a standalone public holiday for Remembrance Day.
  • The exact number of countries where Remembrance Day is a paid holiday for all workers (varies by employer agreements).
  • Whether Manitoba will upgrade its “Official day of Observance” to a statutory holiday.

Quotes from official sources

“Remembrance Day is a general holiday under the Canada Labour Code for the federal government and federally-regulated workplaces.”

Payworks Blog (Employment and Social Development Canada reference)

“There are nine public holidays in Ireland each year. Remembrance Day on 11 November is not one of them.”

Citizens Information (Ireland) – official government source

“Remembrance Day is not a national public holiday in Australia. Some states have specific provisions for part-day or full-day observance.”

Fair Work Ombudsman (Australian Government)

“There are eight permanent bank holidays in England and Wales. Remembrance Day is not one of them.”

UK Government (official bank holiday list)

For workers in Canada’s federally regulated sector, Remembrance Day remains a guaranteed day off. But for the millions in provinces like Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, the day is only a pause, not a paid holiday. The patchwork of laws means that until more provincial governments follow the lead of the territories, the answer to “who gets Remembrance Day off” will depend entirely on where you work. For a federal employee in Ottawa, the choice is clear: a paid day to remember. For a retail worker in Vancouver, the same day may bring a regular shift—or not.

Related reading: Public holidays in Canada · Where is Remembrance Day a statutory holiday in Canada

Additional sources

calendarr.com, nationaltoday.com, canada.ca

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Frequently asked questions

Is Remembrance Day a public holiday in Scotland?

No, Remembrance Day is not a public holiday in Scotland. It is observed on Remembrance Sunday with ceremonies.

Do schools close on Remembrance Day?

In most countries, schools remain open. Some hold assemblies or a moment of silence. In Canada, school closures vary by province.

What is the difference between Remembrance Day and Veterans Day?

Both originate from Armistice Day. Remembrance Day is observed in Commonwealth countries; Veterans Day (November 11 in the US) honors all US military veterans.

Is Remembrance Day a bank holiday in the UK?

No, Remembrance Day is not a bank holiday in any part of the UK.

How is Remembrance Day different from Anzac Day?

Anzac Day (April 25) honors Australian and New Zealand service members. Remembrance Day commemorates the end of WWI and all fallen soldiers.

Are shops open on Remembrance Day in Canada?

In provinces where it is a statutory holiday, many shops close or operate on reduced hours. In provinces like Ontario and Quebec, shops generally stay open.

Does my employer have to give me time off for Remembrance Day?

That depends on your province/state and whether you work in a federally regulated sector. In Canada, if you are in a statutory province or federal sector, yes. Otherwise, not necessarily.

Why is Remembrance Day not a public holiday in the United States?

The US observes Veterans Day on November 11 as a federal holiday, but it honors all veterans rather than focusing on remembrance of the fallen.