Vacation Pay
Calculator Canada
Find out exactly how much vacation pay you're owed in any Canadian province. Calculates vacation pay percentage, weeks entitlement, and dollar amount — including vacation pay owing on termination.
Your employment details
Vacation pay entitlements shown are statutory minimums under employment standards legislation. Your employment contract may provide more. Consult your provincial employment standards office or an employment lawyer for your specific situation. Terms →
Vacation pay is calculated as a percentage of your total vacationable earnings — not just base salary. This includes overtime pay, commissions, bonuses (non-discretionary), and most allowances. If your total compensation is $80,000 including bonuses, your 4% vacation pay is $3,200, not $2,400 on base salary alone.
When employment ends for any reason — resignation, layoff, or dismissal — your employer must pay out all accrued but unpaid vacation pay in your final pay. This includes vacation earned but not yet taken, and vacation pay for the current year up to your last day. Failure to pay out is a violation of employment standards.
Vacation time typically must be taken within 12 months of being earned (the vacation entitlement year). If you don't take your vacation time, your employer may schedule it or forfeit your time — but the vacation pay (money) never expires and must always be paid out. You cannot permanently waive vacation pay.
Frequently asked questions
Does vacation pay include overtime?
Yes, in most provinces. Vacation pay is calculated on total "vacationable earnings" which includes overtime in most jurisdictions. Quebec, BC, Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba explicitly include overtime. Saskatchewan includes overtime on vacation pay calculations. Check your province's employment standards for specifics.
When must vacation pay be paid?
Vacation pay is typically paid before the vacation begins, though some provinces allow it to be paid in each paycheque (pay-as-you-go) if agreed in writing. On termination, vacation pay must be included in the final pay within specific timeframes: 7 days in Ontario, 10 days in Alberta, 48 hours in BC.