What are the standard working hours in Canada?
For many employees in federally regulated industries (e.g., air transportation, banking, broadcasting), standard hours are often described as:
- Eight hours per day
- 40 hours per week
Daily hours are measured over a 24‑hour period; weekly hours are measured over a seven‑day period as set out in guidance. Specific sectors may have different frameworks; confirm details in the official materials.
While daily work hours can be any period within 24 hours, weekly work hours are any period from midnight on Saturday to midnight of the next Saturday.
Some categories (for example, certain managers/supervisors and specified professions) are treated differently under federal standards. In addition, sector‑specific rules can apply (e.g., road transportation, marine, banking). Review the applicable federal regulations and sector guidance to understand which provisions apply to your workforce.
Regulations allow different standard working hours for some employees in certain industries, such as truck drivers in the trucking industry, commission salespersons in the banking industry and employees in the shipping industry.
Employers typically maintain records of hours worked as outlined in federal guidance, which can support pay calculations (including any overtime) and demonstrate how schedules were managed.
What is overtime?
Overtime generally refers to hours worked beyond applicable standard hours. Federal guidance describes overtime pay at not less than 1.5 times the regular wage rate for eligible employees; some categories (including certain managers and specified professions) are treated differently.
Where both daily and weekly calculations are relevant, the method that results in the greater eligible overtime may apply under the guidance. Holidays and averaging arrangements can also affect how overtime is assessed; review current official materials for your sector before setting internal rules.
Overview of averaging hours
The nature of some professions can make irregular working hours necessary. Employees like pilots, truck drivers, and bus operators may have irregular or varying work hours during different work periods. In such situations, you can average the work hours over multiple workweeks following section 6 of the Canada Labour Standards Regulations and part III of the Canada Labour Code.
Some roles have irregular schedules (for example, pilots, truck drivers, bus operators). In these cases, an averaging approach may be used over a defined multi‑week period as set out in federal guidance and regulations. The averaging period, how standard hours are determined, and how overtime is assessed when employment ends are addressed in the official materials.
If employment ends during an averaging period, pay is based on the hours actually worked within the period, consistent with the applicable rules.
Holidays and leave also affect the standard and maximum hours an employee can work during averaging hours in the following ways:
- For holidays with pay–reduce by 8 hours
- For annual vacations–reduce by 8 hours
- For bereavement leave with salary–reduce by 8 hours
- For seven consecutive days where there are no fixed working hours–reduce by 40 hours
- For days that are not normal working days where they get a regular salary–reduce by 8 hours
- For weeks that are not normal working periods where they get regular pay–reduce by 8 hours
Example of calculating averaging hours and overtime pay
Example (illustrative only): An employee’s agreement reflects a 46‑hour schedule. Over three weeks they work 52, 42, and 58 hours. Using an averaging approach, the average exceeds the agreed hours by six per week; at an overtime rate of $24, total overtime pay across three weeks would be 6 × $24 × 3 = $432. Actual outcomes depend on applicable rules and the employment agreement.
Rests and breaks required
Federal guidance describes daily rest and breaks, including a 30‑minute break during each period of five consecutive hours of work, with limited exceptions (e.g., unforeseen operational issues). Whether breaks are paid can depend on whether the employee is required to remain available for work and on applicable rules and policies.
Weekly rest provisions and the effect of holidays on standard hours are also addressed in the guidance. Some categories and professions are treated differently. Refer to Government of Canada materials for current details, and reflect them in your internal scheduling and pay practices.
FAQs about working hours in Canada
Here are answers to common questions about working hours in Canada:
How many hours can students work in Canada?
Student employees in federally regulated workplaces generally follow the same daily/weekly hour and rest frameworks that apply to eligible employees, subject to any specific provisions in the guidance. Check current official materials for limits and rest/break expectations that apply to your situation. Avoid stating numeric “must” limits unless you cite the exact federal rule.
How many hours are employees legally allowed to work in a day in Canada?
Federal standards address daily and weekly maximums and rest periods, with limited exceptions (for example, emergencies or authorized averaging/scheduling arrangements). Some scenarios involve notice, posting, consultation, or authorization steps set out in the guidance. Confirm the current requirements and processes in the official materials before planning schedules.
