Canadian Sick Leave Laws 2026: Every Province Compared (Complete Guide)
Canada has 14 different sick leave frameworks. This is the definitive 2026 guide comparing paid days, unpaid days, doctor's note requirements, and recent changes across every province and territory.
## Canadian Sick Leave Laws in 2026: The Complete Provincial Comparison
Canada does not have a single national sick leave law. Instead, there are **14 separate frameworks** — one federal and thirteen provincial/territorial — each with different rules about paid days, unpaid days, qualifying periods, and when employers can require a doctor's note.
As of 2026, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Multiple provinces extended long-term illness leave to 27 weeks, Ontario banned employer-mandated sick notes entirely (with $100,000 fines), and Alberta remains one of the few provinces where employers can still freely require medical documentation.
This guide covers every jurisdiction so you know exactly where you stand — whether you're an employee needing time off or an employer trying to stay compliant.
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## Quick Comparison Table: Sick Leave Across Canada (2026)
| Province/Territory | Paid Sick Days | Unpaid Sick Days | Qualifying Period | Doctor's Note Required After |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Federal** | 10 days | — | 30 days | 5 consecutive days |
| **British Columbia** | 5 days | 3 days | 90 days | Cannot ask for first 2 short absences |
| **Alberta** | 0 days | 5 days | 90 days | Employer's discretion (policy-based) |
| **Ontario** | 0 days | 3 days | 2 weeks | **Prohibited** ($100K fine) |
| **Quebec** | 2 days | 26 weeks | 3 months | Not for first 3 absences (≤3 days each) |
| **Saskatchewan** | 0 days | 12 days | 13 weeks | Generally not under 5 consecutive days |
| **Manitoba** | 0 days | 3 days | 30 days | Legislation pending (Spring 2026) |
| **New Brunswick** | 0 days | 5 days | 90 days | 4+ consecutive days |
| **Nova Scotia** | 0 days | 5 days | None | 5+ days or pattern of abuse |
| **PEI** | 0-3 days (tenure) | 3 days | 3 months | 3 consecutive days |
| **Newfoundland** | 0 days | 7 days | 30 days | Repealed (Dec 2024) |
| **NWT** | 0 days | 5 days | 30 days | 3 consecutive days |
| **Yukon** | 0 days | 12 days (1/month) | None (accrual) | No strict prohibition |
| **Nunavut** | 0 days | 3 days | — | Reasonable verification |
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## Alberta: Employers Can Still Require Sick Notes
Alberta is now **one of the only major provinces** where employers can still legally require a doctor's note for any absence, regardless of length. There is no provincial ban on sick note requests.
### What You're Entitled To
**Personal and Family Responsibility Leave:** Up to 5 days of unpaid leave per year for health issues or family needs (after 90 days of employment).
**Long-Term Illness and Injury Leave:** As of **January 1, 2026**, employees can take up to **27 weeks** of unpaid, job-protected leave — a massive increase from the previous 16 weeks. This aligns with federal EI sickness benefits.
### The Doctor's Note Rule
Alberta's Employment Standards Code does not restrict employers from requesting medical documentation. If your employer's policy requires a sick note, you must provide one — even for a single day absence.
This is why services like MedLetter exist. With Alberta's average walk-in clinic wait time exceeding 3 hours, getting a simple sick note shouldn't cost you an entire day. MedLetter delivers official documentation from a CPSA-registered physician within hours — no clinic visit required.
**[Get a sick note in Alberta →](/get-started/sick_note)**
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## Ontario: The "No Note" Province ($100,000 Fines)
Ontario's *Working for Workers Five Act* fundamentally changed the game. As of 2025, employers are **strictly prohibited** from requesting a doctor's certificate for the three statutory unpaid sick days.
### What You're Entitled To
**Sick Leave:** 3 unpaid, job-protected days per year (after 2 weeks of employment).
**Long-Term Illness Leave:** Up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave (effective June 19, 2025).
### The Doctor's Note Rule
- Employers **cannot** request a doctor's note for the 3 statutory sick days
- Employers *can* ask for "reasonable evidence" such as a signed attestation or