Job Terminations in Canada

All Canadian employees are entitled to written notice of the employer's intention to terminate his or her employment (or when a group termination involves 50 or more employees from a single industrial establishment who are dismissed simultaneously within a four-week period). In cases where an employer wishes to end the work relationship immediately, they must pay the employee(s) regular wages in lieu of the notice period (this is referred to as “pay in lieu of notice").

The length of the notice period will vary based on several factors: how long you have worked for the employer, your work jurisdiction, and if your employer has provided additional notice over and above the prescribed limits. In many Canadian regions, staff must be employed longer than a set minimum amount of time before they are entitled to receive written notice of termination.

Use the table below to review the termination notice requirements for each of the thirteen Canadian provinces and territories. Select a province name to view more detailed information about the region.

Province/Territory	Work Duration - Notice Period
Alberta	Individual and Group Terminations: Less than 3 months of employment: None Between 3 months and 2 years: 1 week Between 2 years and 4 years: 2 weeks Between 4 years and 6 years: 4 weeks Between 6 years and 8 years: 5 weeks Between 8 years and 10 years: 6 weeks 10 years or more: 8 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in Alberta.
BC	Individual Terminations: Under 3 months: None Between 3 to 12 months: 1 week Between 1 to 3 years: 2 weeks 3 years: 3 weeks Over 3 years: For every year of employment after 3 years an additional week of notice is required up to 8 weeks in total. Group Terminations: 50 to 100 employees: 8 weeks 101 to 300 employees: 12 weeks Over 301 employees: 16 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in BC.
Manitoba	Individual Terminations: Individual Terminations Less than 30 days: None 30 days to less than 1 year: 1 week 1 year to less than 3 years: 2 weeks 3 years to less than 5 years: 4 weeks 5 years to less than 10 years: 6 weeks 10 years or more: 8 weeks Group Terminations: 50 to 100 employees: 10 weeks 101 to 299 employees: 14 weeks 300 plus employees: 18 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in Manitoba.
New Brunswick	Individual Terminations: Between 6 months and 5 years: 2 weeks More than 5 years: 4 weeks Group Terminations: Group termination applies to the termination of 10 or more employees (which is equal to 25% of the total number of employees) within a 28 day period. The Minister of Labour must be given six weeks written notice along with the employees who are being terminated. Click here for additional payroll information in New Brunswick.
Newfoundland & Labrador	Individual Terminations: Under 3 months: None Between 3 months and 2 years: 1 Week Between 2 and 5 years: 2 Weeks Between 5 and 10 years: 3 Weeks Between 10 and 15 years: 4 Weeks 15 years and over: 6 Weeks Group Terminations: 50 to 199: 8 weeks 200 to 499: 12 weeks More than 500: 16 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in Newfoundland.
NWT	Individual Terminations: Under 90 days: None Between 90 days and 3 years: 2 weeks 3 years or more: For every year after 3 years an additional week is required up to 8 weeks in total Group Terminations: 25 to 49 employees: 4 weeks 50 to 99 employees: 8 weeks 100 to 299 employees: 12 weeks 300 or more employees: 16 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in NWT.
Nova Scotia	Individual Terminations: Under 3 months: None Between 3 months and 2 years: 1 week Between 2 years and 5 years: 2 weeks Between 5 years and 10 years: 4 weeks Over 10 years: 8 weeks Group Terminations: 10 to 99 employees: 8 weeks 100 to 299 employees: 12 weeks More than 300 employees: 16 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in Nova Scotia.
Nunavut	Individual Terminations: Under 90 days: None Between 90 days and 3 years: 2 weeks 3 years or more: For every year after 3 years an additional week is required up to 8 weeks in total Group Terminations: 25 to 49 employees: 4 weeks 50 to 99 8 weeks 100 to 299 employees: 12 weeks 300 or more employees: 16 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in Nunavut.
Ontario	Individual Terminations: Under 3 months: None Between 3 months and 1 year: 1 week Between 1 year and 3 years: 2 weeks 3 years or more: For every year after 3 years an additional week is required up to 8 weeks in total Group Terminations: 50 to 199 employees: 8 weeks 200 to 499 employees: 12 weeks 500 or more employees: 16 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in Ontario.
PEI	Individual Terminations: Under 6 months: None Between 6 months and 5 years: 2 weeks or 2 weeks pay in lieu of notice Between 5 and 10 years: 4 weeks Between 10 and 15 years: 6 weeks Over 15 years: 8 weeks Group Terminations: There is no provincial legislation stating required notice periods. Click here for additional payroll information in PEI.
Quebec	Individual Terminations: Under 3 months: None Between 3 months and 1 year: 1 week Between 1 year and 5 years: 2 weeks Between 5 years and 10 years: 4 weeks 10 years or more: 8 weeks Group Terminations: 10 to 99 employees: 8 weeks 100 to 299 employees: 12 weeks 300 or more employees: 16 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in Quebec.
Saskatchewan	Individual Terminations: Under 3 months: None Between 13 weeks and 1 year: 1 week Between 1 year and 3 years: 2 weeks Between 3 years and 5 years: 4 weeks Between 5 years and 10 years: 6 weeks 10 years or more: 8 weeks Group Terminations: 10 to 49 employees: 4 weeks 50 to 99 employees: 8 weeks 100 or more employees: 12 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in Saskatchewan.
Yukon	Individual Terminations: Under 6 months: None Between 6 months and 1 year: 1 week Between 1 year and 3 years: 2 weeks 3 years or more: For every year after 3 years an additional week is required up to 8 weeks in total Group Terminations: 25 to 49 employees: 4 weeks 50 to 99 employees: 8 weeks 100 to 299 employees: 12 weeks 300 or more employees: 16 weeks Click here for additional payroll information in the Yukon.

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