📰 Press Summary
Understanding statutory holiday pay in British Columbia is essential for both employers and employees. In 2025, BC workers are entitled to paid statutory holidays under the Employment Standards Act, but many small businesses still struggle with accurate calculations.
To help, Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX developed a free Stat Holiday Pay Calculator (BC) and published a complete, easy-to-follow guide that explains eligibility, average-wage formulas, and the list of BC’s 2025 statutory holidays.
“Our goal is to make payroll management stress-free and fully compliant,” says Anamika Biswas, founder of CLaTAX. “By automating calculations and ensuring CRA accuracy, employers can avoid costly errors while supporting their staff.”
Read the full guide below to learn how to calculate statutory holiday pay correctly in 2025 👇
How to Calculate Stat Holiday Pay in BC: A Complete 2025 Guide
Statutory holidays—often called public holidays—are days recognized by the government for workers to rest and celebrate. In British Columbia (BC), employees are legally entitled to statutory holiday pay if they meet specific eligibility criteria.
However, understanding exactly how stat holiday pay works can be confusing for both employers and employees, especially when factoring in irregular hours, varying pay rates, or commission income.
That’s why our team at Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX prepared this step-by-step guide—so you can calculate statutory pay accurately and stay compliant with BC’s Employment Standards Act.
Step 1 – Determine Eligibility
Before calculating statutory pay, first confirm whether the employee qualifies to receive it.
Under BC employment law, most employees are eligible for statutory holiday pay if:
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They have been employed for at least 30 calendar days before the holiday, and
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They have worked or earned wages on at least 15 of the 30 days preceding the holiday.
Employees who do not meet these thresholds may still receive regular wages if they work on the holiday, but they won’t be entitled to additional stat pay benefits.
👉 Tip: Keep accurate payroll records and attendance logs—this simplifies eligibility checks during audits or disputes.
Step 2 – Calculate the Average Daily Wage
The average daily wage (ADW) forms the foundation of every stat pay calculation.
Use this formula:
Average Daily Wage = (Total Earnings in the 30 days before the holiday) ÷ Number of Days Worked
Include regular earnings, commissions, bonuses, and vacation pay within the 30-day window, but exclude overtime.
Employers who automate payroll using cloud software like QuickBooks, Wagepoint, or Payworks can generate this figure instantly through built-in reports.
Step 3 – Determine Regular Pay
Regular pay represents what the employee normally earns in a typical workday.
If the employee’s schedule fluctuates, calculate an average of their last few pay periods.
For salaried employees, divide their monthly salary by the number of workdays in that month to get a per-day rate.
Step 4 – Calculate Stat Holiday Pay
Once eligibility and wage averages are established, apply the following BC rules:
| Situation | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Employee does not work on the holiday | Receives their average daily wage |
| Employee works on the holiday | Receives 1.5× their regular pay for hours worked plus their average daily wage |
| Employee works overtime on the holiday | Receives 2× their regular pay for overtime hours |
✅ Example:
If an employee’s regular daily pay is $200 and they work 8 hours on Canada Day, they would earn:
(8 × $200 × 1.5) + $200 = $2,600 in total.
Step 5 – Use a Stat Holiday Pay Calculator (BC)
Manual calculations can be error-prone—especially with variable schedules or multiple pay components.
That’s where a dedicated tool like the Stat Holiday Pay Calculator (BC) by CLaTAX becomes invaluable.
This online calculator:
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Automates all five steps of the BC stat-pay formula.
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Complies with the Employment Standards Act.
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Provides detailed breakdowns for both employers and employees.
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Ensures accurate payroll and remittance records for CRA compliance.
Using the calculator helps you guarantee that every employee receives what they’re entitled to—on time and without confusion.
🧮 Bonus: Common Stat Holidays in British Columbia (2025)
| Date | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year’s Day | Nationwide |
| Feb 17 | Family Day | Third Monday in February |
| Mar 31 | Good Friday | Variable date |
| May 19 | Victoria Day | Monday preceding May 25 |
| Jul 1 | Canada Day | Nationwide |
| Aug 4 | BC Day | First Monday in August |
| Sep 1 | Labour Day | Nationwide |
| Sep 30 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Recognized in BC |
| Oct 13 | Thanksgiving Day | Nationwide |
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Nationwide |
🧠 In Conclusion
Calculating stat holiday pay in BC can seem complex, but with clear steps and reliable tools, it’s straightforward.
Employers who stay proactive with payroll compliance protect themselves from penalties and improve employee satisfaction.
Employees benefit too—knowing their entitlements promotes fairness and trust at work.
When in doubt, consult the experts at Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX for professional payroll guidance.
📍 Visit Us
Visit Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX to learn more about Stat Holiday Pay in BC and access our free calculator.
💼 About CLaTAX
Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX
Address: Glenlyon Corporate Centre, 4300 N Fraser Wy #163, Burnaby, BC V5J 5J8
📞 +1 (855) 915-2931
🌐 www.claccounting-tax.ca
✉️ info@cloudaccountings.net
Brand Profile – Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX
Founded in 2011, Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX has become one of British Columbia’s leading accounting firms, serving over 315 corporations and 5,000+ individuals and self-employed professionals across Canada.
Based in Burnaby, Vancouver, CLaTAX provides exceptional accounting and tax services nationwide (except Quebec), available in person or online.
CLaTAX delivers cloud-based, reliable, and results-driven solutions tailored to industries such as IT, hospitality, real estate, construction, child care, transportation, retail, and healthcare.
Core services include personal and corporate income tax, bookkeeping, payroll management, GST/HST filing, WorkSafeBC reporting, financial statement compilation, and business advisory.
Led by Anamika Biswas, whose entrepreneurial vision inspires a team of CPAs, CGAs, ACCAs, and CPBs, CLaTAX is recognized for its commitment to integrity, transparency, and client success.
🏆 Awards & Recognition:
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#1 Best Accountants in Vancouver (2024) – The Best Vancouver
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Best Tax Practice Firm (2024) – LegalDirectorate.ca
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#1 Accounting Firm in Vancouver (2024) – Waterview Vancouver
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#7 Best Accountants in Vancouver (2022–2023) – The Best Vancouver
CLaTAX: Trusted. Recognized. Results-Driven.
References
Government of British Columbia. (2024). Statutory holidays – Employment standards.
Canada Revenue Agency. (2024). Payroll – Information for employers.
Intuit Canada. (2025). QuickBooks Payroll – Canada.
Wagepoint. (2025). Simple online payroll software for Canadian small businesses.
Payworks. (2025). Payroll and workforce management solutions.
Waterview Vancouver. (2024). 6 Best Accountants for Stress-Free Accounting in Vancouver.
The Best Vancouver. (2024). Best Accountants in Vancouver 2024.
LegalDirectorate. (2024). Best Tax Practice Firms in Vancouver.
Cloud Accounting & Tax Services Inc. | CLaTAX. (2025). Stat Holiday Pay Calculator (BC).
