Yes, Thanksgiving always falls on the same day across the country. But the way people mark it depends on where they live, as holiday rules don’t match up & the harvest wraps up at different times. Let’s find out why Thanksgiving looks different across Canada. How does it look where you are?
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Key takeaways
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Provinces where the day off is guaranteed & where it isn’t
- How universities handle it
- Harvest timing & why the October spot works for some crops
- Food traditions tied to what’s grown nearby
The date on the calendar
Thanksgiving in Canada is fixed to the second Monday in October & it’s been the rule since the late 1950s. That was when the federal government made it official. Before that, dates moved around, sometimes even landing in November, like in America.
In English, it’s simply Thanksgiving, but in French-speaking parts of the country, you’ll usually see it called L’Action de grâce. This includes in Québec schools & government websites. Similarly, depending on where you are, you might hear neighbours say “Happy Thanksgiving” or “Bonne Action de grâce.” The words mean the same, though.
Paid days off depend on where you work
Unfortunately, not every Canadian worker automatically gets the Monday paid. Those in a federally regulated job, like a bank or airline, will see it on their list of holidays. In places like B.C. & Alberta, the day is part of the provincial labour standards, too.
However, it’s a bit different in the east. Nova Scotia doesn’t treat it as a regular paid holiday, so stores close, but not all workers are paid. On Prince Edward Island, it’s not on the statutory holiday list at all. Whether your paycheque covers the day off depends a lot on which province & which industry you’re in.
How campuses handle the Monday
Students across Canada can count on a break in the provinces where Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday. This includes British Columbia and Québec, as well as Newfoundland. Here, classes pause & offices close. It’s one of the first big long weekends in the academic year, and for many students, that makes it the perfect time to travel home. Or maybe just catch up on sleep.
Harvest timing and the October fit
The October holiday lines up neatly with harvest in some provinces, but not all. Out on the Prairies, a lot of the cereal crops are already off the fields by late August or September. Combines are usually parked for weeks by the time Thanksgiving arrives.
In Ontario & parts of the Maritimes, however, there are still some crops left to pick, like apples & pumpkins. Don’t forget the root vegetables.
Food on the table
While turkey & pumpkin pie are common, the menu isn’t identical from coast to coast. Take Ontario, for example. It’s home to the largest share of turkey farms in the country, which makes sense when you see how often turkey is the centrepiece there.
But cranberries & root vegetables are more important on the East Coast. There’s also the fact that whatever’s local at that time of year will often end up at the table. This could be squash or apple, perhaps even potatoes.
Faith & giving traditions change by region
Across the country, some communities treat Thanksgiving weekend as an unofficial church holiday. Anglican & United Church congregations in smaller towns normally have “Harvest Thanksgiving” services on the Sunday before. People also bring canned food & pantry items to donate at the same time. Essentially, the morning is as much a service as a food drive.
Some parishes take part in the harvest celebration every year, while others briefly mention it during regular Sunday worship. It depends a lot on local tradition & how involved the congregation is.
Overlaps with other fall holidays
Sometimes, Thanksgiving happens close to Sukkot, a special Jewish holiday. Jewish communities in cities like Montreal & Toronto sometimes have to juggle synagogue schedules with turkey dinners. That may involve moving the main meal to Sunday night, or setting up an extra table in the sukkah so everyone can take part.
Fall hunts in the East & North
Thanksgiving takes on another meaning in parts of Atlantic Canada & the North. Why? Because it’s right in the thick of hunting season. Yes, moose season in Newfoundland runs straight through October, so many families spend the long weekend out at their cabins instead of in town.
It’s a normal time for groups to get together & head into the woods early. They often come back with something for the freezer. Migratory bird seasons overlap too, especially in Newfoundland & Labrador. As a result, some families build their whole Thanksgiving around these hunts. They’ll have a big dinner on Monday after a couple of long days outside.
Either way, the holiday fits into people’s lives in many different ways.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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