Bereavement leave is an essential policy allowing employees time off to grieve the loss of a loved one. In Canada, the entitlements vary by province and territory, with some offering paid leave and others providing unpaid days. Understanding these differences can help employees and employers manage expectations and plan appropriately. This post outlines the minimum standards for bereavement leave across Canadian provinces and territories, with detailed sections to guide you on specific aspects of bereavement leave.
Provincial and Territorial Bereavement Leave Policies
Below is a detailed overview of bereavement leave policies in each province and territory.
Alberta
In Alberta, employees with at least 90 days of employment can take up to three unpaid days of bereavement leave per year for the death of a family member, including a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild. See more.
British Columbia
British Columbia provides employees with up to three unpaid days of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member, including a spouse, child, parent, guardian, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent. Read more: Bereavement leave in British Columbia
Manitoba
Employees in Manitoba can take up to three unpaid days of bereavement leave for the death of a family member, including a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild. This leave is available after 30 days of employment.
New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, employees are entitled to up to five consecutive unpaid days of bereavement leave for the death of a close family member. The leave must start no later than the day of the funeral. See also: Bereavement Leave in NB
Newfoundland and Labrador
Employees with at least 30 days of employment in Newfoundland and Labrador are entitled to one paid day and two unpaid days of bereavement leave for the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law, child-in-law, or sibling-in-law.
Nova Scotia
Employees in Nova Scotia can take up to five consecutive unpaid days of bereavement leave for the death of a close family member, including a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent.
Northwest Territories
Employees in the Northwest Territories can take up to three unpaid days of bereavement leave if the funeral is local, and up to seven days if the service is outside the community where the employee resides.
Nunavut
Currently, there is no specific provision for bereavement leave in Nunavut’s employment legislation.
Ontario
Employees in Ontario are entitled to up to two unpaid days of bereavement leave per calendar year for the death of certain family members, such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild. This leave is available after two consecutive weeks of employment. Learn more. See this post as well.
Prince Edward Island
Employees in Prince Edward Island are entitled to up to three days of bereavement leave, with the first day paid and the remaining two days unpaid, for the death of a spouse, parent, child, or sibling.
Quebec
Quebec provides up to five days of bereavement leave, with the first two days paid. This applies when an employee loses a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or a spouse’s child. The leave must be taken between the time of death and the funeral.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan allows employees up to five unpaid days of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member, such as a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling. The leave must be taken within one week before or after the funeral. See also: Bereavement leave in Saskatchewan
Yukon
In Yukon, employees can take up to seven unpaid days of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member, provided the funeral occurs within that period.
Eligibility Requirements for Bereavement Leave by Province and Territory
Here is an overview of the eligibility requirements for bereavement leave across all Canadian provinces and territories:
Alberta: Employees must have at least 90 days of continuous employment to be eligible for up to three unpaid days of bereavement leave.
British Columbia: No minimum length of employment is specified. Employees are eligible for up to three unpaid days of bereavement leave upon the death of an immediate family member.
Manitoba: Employees must have been employed for at least 30 days to qualify for up to three unpaid days of bereavement leave.
New Brunswick: There is no minimum employment duration requirement; employees are eligible for up to five consecutive unpaid days of bereavement leave.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Employees must have at least 30 days of continuous employment to qualify for one paid day and two unpaid days of bereavement leave.
Nova Scotia: No specific minimum employment period is required. Employees can take up to five consecutive unpaid days of bereavement leave.
Northwest Territories: No minimum employment duration is specified. Employees are eligible for up to three unpaid days if the funeral is local, and up to seven unpaid days if the funeral is outside the community.
Nunavut: There are currently no specific provisions for bereavement leave in Nunavut’s employment legislation, so eligibility criteria are not defined.
Ontario: Employees must have completed at least two consecutive weeks of employment to be eligible for up to two unpaid days of bereavement leave.
Prince Edward Island: No minimum employment period is required. Employees are entitled to up to three days of bereavement leave, with the first day paid and the remaining two days unpaid.
Quebec: No specific minimum employment period is required for eligibility. Employees can take up to five days of bereavement leave, with the first two days paid.
Saskatchewan: No minimum employment period is mentioned. Employees are eligible for up to five unpaid days of bereavement leave.
Yukon: No specified minimum employment duration. Employees can take up to seven unpaid days of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member.
This summary provides an overview of eligibility criteria for bereavement leave by region. Always refer to local employment standards or company policies for more detailed information on additional requirements or provisions.
Definition of Immediate Family
Understanding who qualifies as immediate family is important when taking bereavement leave. Typically, this includes:
Spouse/Partner
Parents/Guardians
Children (including adopted and stepchildren)
Siblings
Grandparents and Grandchildren
Each province may have slight variations, so verifying the specifics in local legislation is essential.
Paid vs. Unpaid Leave
Bereavement leave can be either paid, unpaid, or a mix of both. Here’s a summary of paid leave provisions:
Quebec: The first two days are paid.
Newfoundland and Labrador: One paid day, followed by two unpaid days.
Prince Edward Island: The first day is paid, and the next two days are unpaid.
Employer-Specific Policies
Employers often offer policies that go beyond the minimum standards set by provincial legislation. Employees should always check with their employer or refer to collective agreements for any additional entitlements.
Federal Employment Standards
For federally regulated employees, the Canada Labour Code entitles employees to up to five days of bereavement leave, with the first three days paid if the employee has completed at least three consecutive months of continuous employment.
Special Circumstances
Some provinces may have special provisions for bereavement leave in cases such as multiple deaths within a short period or for deaths involving close non-immediate family members. It is important to confirm the details in local legislation or company policies for these special cases.
Provisions for Extended Family
Certain provinces may extend bereavement leave to include in-laws or other non-immediate family members. For example, Newfoundland and Labrador includes siblings-in-law, parent-in-law, and child-in-law in its policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
To address common questions about bereavement leave, here are 10 frequently asked questions:
Can bereavement leave be split over different days? Yes, some provinces allow splitting leave, but this depends on specific provincial regulations.
Does bereavement leave cover time off for attending memorial services or other related events? Yes, bereavement leave typically includes time to attend the funeral or memorial service.
Can employees request additional leave beyond the minimum requirement? Yes, but additional leave is subject to the employer’s discretion or specific company policies.
Is bereavement leave paid in all provinces? No, only Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island have provisions for paid leave.
How does bereavement leave work for part-time employees? Part-time employees are generally entitled to bereavement leave, but pay entitlements may vary based on employment terms.
Can bereavement leave be taken for close friends or extended family members? In most cases, no, but some provinces and employers may have policies that extend leave under special conditions.
Is proof of relationship or death required for bereavement leave? Some employers or provincial regulations may request proof, such as an obituary or death certificate.
What happens if more than one family member passes away within a short period? Special provisions may apply in such cases, depending on provincial legislation or employer policies.
Can bereavement leave be taken before the actual funeral? Yes, leave can usually be taken before the funeral, especially to help with arrangements or travel.
What should an employee do if bereavement leave is denied? Employees should check with HR or their union representative, and if needed, consult local employment standards for further guidance.
Summary Table of Bereavement Leave Entitlements by Province and Territory
Here’s the revised table summarizing eligibility and entitlements for bereavement leave across Canadian provinces and territories:
Province/Territory
Minimum Employment Requirement
Bereavement Leave Entitlement
Alberta
90 days
Up to 3 unpaid days
British Columbia
None
Up to 3 unpaid days
Manitoba
30 days
Up to 5 unpaid days
New Brunswick
None
Up to 5 consecutive unpaid days
Newfoundland and Labrador
30 days
1 paid day and 2 unpaid days
Nova Scotia
None
Up to 5 consecutive unpaid days
Northwest Territories
None
Up to 3 unpaid days (7 if funeral is outside community)
