When did Boxing Day become a holiday in Canada?
1871
Boxing Day Customs It has been a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland and Canada since 1871. (It is listed in the Canada Labour Code as a general holiday.)
Is Boxing Day a holiday in Canada?
In Canada, Boxing Day (French: le Lendemain de Noël) is a federal statutory holiday. Government offices, banks and postal services are closed. In Ontario, and other Canadian provinces, it is a provincial statutory holiday.
Why is it called Boxing Day in Canada?
The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants – a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.
Is Dec 26th a stat holiday in Canada?
It is a provincial stat holiday in Ontario only – in other provinces and territories it’s not a statutory holiday. It is, however, a stat holiday for federally regulated workers and banks across the country.
Is December 27 a holiday in Canada?
You didn’t read that wrong, the official statutory holiday for Christmas in Ontario is December 27th. This is because the 25th falls on a Saturday, while Boxing Day follows on the Sunday.
What happens when Christmas and Boxing Day fall on a weekend Ontario?
Most Ontario employers will simply recognize the day before or the day after a holiday that falls on a weekend as being the substitute holiday. Ontario law permits the substitute holiday to be observed either before or after the public holiday.
What was Boxing Day originally called?
Boxing Day is also known as St Stephen’s Day – Stephen was the first Christian martyr, stoned to death in c34 AD. Being a saint’s day, it has charitable associations. Charitable boxes – collections of money – would have been given out at the church door to the needy.
Why is Boxing Day called Boxing Day?
It was traditionally a day off for servants and a day when they would receive special presents from their masters. The presents traditionally given to the poor and servants was called a ‘Christmas box’ hence the name Boxing Day.