British Columbia, Canada
Complete guide to British Columbia employee leave entitlements including vacation, paid sick leave, and parental leave under ESA.
10
Annual leave
10
Public holidays
province
Location type
2025-01-15
Reviewed
Legal framework
Primary legislation
Governing body
Last updated
Official source
Entitlements overview
Annual leave
Statutory entitlement: 10
Calculation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years
Pro-rata: 4% of gross wages (6% after 5 years)
Carryover: Must be taken within 12 months of earning
Sick leave
Statutory: Yes
Paid days: 5
Statutory pay: Regular wages
Eligibility: 90+ days of employment
Parental leave
Maternity: 17 weeks (pregnancy leave)
Paternity: 62 weeks (parental leave)
Shared leave: 62 weeks combined
Additional leave and compliance
Other leave types
Family Responsibility Leave: 5 days per year (unpaid)
Bereavement Leave: 3 days (unpaid)
Compassionate Care Leave: 27 weeks (unpaid)
Record keeping and notice
Records: Maintain records for at least 4 years
Penalties: Fines and orders to pay wages
Public holiday sample
New Year's Day: 2025-01-01
Family Day: 2025-02-17
Good Friday: 2025-04-18
Victoria Day: 2025-05-19
Canada Day: 2025-07-01
BC Day: 2025-08-04
Frequently asked questions
Does BC have paid sick leave?
Yes, BC requires 5 paid sick days per year for employees with 90+ days of employment. This was introduced in 2022.
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