Canada observes Canada Day as a federal statutory holiday. It is the country’s national day and is held on July 1 to commemorate Confederation in 1867.
The date marks the coming into force of the British North America Act, now called the Constitution Act, 1867. On that day, the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick united to form the Dominion of Canada within the British Empire.
A federal law made July 1 a public holiday in 1879, when it was known as Dominion Day. The official name changed to Canada Day in 1982, the year the Constitution was patriated and the Canada Act took effect.
Canada Day is often described as a nationwide holiday, but employment rules can vary by jurisdiction and sector. Federal law recognizes it as a legal holiday, while provincial and territorial rules determine many workplace details. If July 1 falls on a Sunday, the federal Holidays Act provides for July 2 as the statutory holiday.