What is the standard working hours in Canada? How is overtime compensated?

In Canada, standard working hours and overtime regulations vary by province and territory, balancing work and leisure while ensuring fair compensation for additional hours worked.

Ontario

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 48 hours/week, 8 hours/day.
Overtime: Applies to hours above 48/week.
Compensation: 150% salary or 1.5x time off if agreed upon, to be used within 3–12 months.
Exceptions: Some employees are exempt from overtime-specific compensation.

British Columbia

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day.
Overtime: 150% salary for up to 12 overtime hours worked in a day, 200% salary for overtime beyond 12 hours, or 1.5x time off (banked overtime) within 6 months if agreed.
Exceptions: Certain roles are exempt.

Quebec

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 40 hours/week.
Overtime: Applies to hours above 40/week.
Compensation: 150% salary or 1.5x time off (leave in lieu).
Exceptions: Some employees are exempt.

Alberta

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 44 hours/week, 8 hours/day.
Overtime: Applies to hours above 44/week or 8/day.
Compensation: 150% salary or 1 hour time off per overtime hour within 6 months if agreed upon.
Exceptions: Certain employees are exempt.

Nova Scotia

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 48 hours/week.
Overtime: Applies to hours above 48/week.
Compensation: 150% salary.
Exceptions: Managers and supervisors with managerial roles are entitled to overtime pay.

Saskatchewan

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 40 hours/week.
Overtime: Above 40 hours/week or 36 hours/week if a public holiday falls in the week. Beyond 44 hours/week requires explicit employee consent.
Compensation: 150% salary or 1.5x time off (banked overtime) if requested by the employee.
Exceptions: Certain employees are exempt.

Manitoba

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day.
Overtime: Applies to hours above 40/week.
Compensation: 150% salary or 1.5x time off (banked overtime) within 3 months if agreed upon.
Exceptions: Some employees are exempt.

New Brunswick

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 44 hours/week.
Overtime: Applies to hours above 44/week.
Compensation: 150% salary (time off compensation not permitted).
Exceptions: Certain employees are exempt.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Standard Hours: No minimum; maximum 40 hours/week.
Overtime: Applies to hours above 40/week.
Compensation: 1.5x minimum wage or 1.5x time off (banked) within 3 months if agreed upon.
Exceptions: Employees earning 1.5x the average provincial salary are exempt.

Overtime is typically calculated weekly, though some provinces include daily thresholds. Employees must often provide explicit consent for overtime or banked time arrangements. Exemptions usually apply to managerial, supervisory, or high-income roles.

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