Ontario
Each Ontario board submits its calendar to the Ministry of Education for approval. Boards differ on start and end dates and PA days, but the Ministry fixes the March break week.
School travel planning
School holidays 2026-27 by province and school board.
In 2026-27, schools across Ontario, Québec, BC, Alberta and Nova Scotia start between August 27 and September 8 and end between June 22 and June 30. Winter break is about December 21 to January 1, and March break runs from March 1 in Québec to April 2 in Alberta.
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When Do Schools Start and End in 2026-27?
First to last day of the school year in each province. Choose a province for every board.
School Year Dates by School Board
First day, winter break, March break and last day for 17 boards. Last days show elementary, with secondary where it differs.
| School board | Province | First day | Winter break | March break | Last day | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto District School Board (TDSB) | Ontario | Sept 8 | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Mar 15 – 19 | Jun 29 (sec. Jun 28) | |
| York Region District School Board (YRDSB) | Ontario | Sept 8 | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Mar 15 – 19 | Jun 29 (sec. Jun 28) | |
| Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) | Ontario | Sept 1 | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Mar 15 – 19 | Jun 25 (sec. Jun 23) | |
| Peel District School Board | Ontario | Sept 8 | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Mar 15 – 19 | Jun 30 (sec. Jun 28) | |
| Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) | Ontario | Sept 8 | Dec 21 – Jan 1 | Mar 15 – 19 | Jun 29 (sec. Jun 28) |
Showing 5 of 17 school boards
Who Sets the School Calendar?
It depends on the province, which is why neighbouring boards can start and finish on different days.
Quebec
Québec has no ministry-wide calendar. Each centre de services scolaire sets its own, and each school then adds its own pedagogical days.
British Columbia
Each BC school district sets its own calendar, so start and end dates, closure days and the length of spring break differ by district.
Alberta
Each Alberta school board sets its own calendar, so start dates, spring break and end dates differ by board.
Nova Scotia
The Department of Education sets one calendar for every regional centre for education: the term runs September 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, with a holiday break from December 22 to January 1 and spring break March 8 to 12.
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School Holidays 2026-27: Common Questions
When do schools start in Canada in 2026?
Most schools in the five provinces covered here start between late August and early September 2026. Québec starts first, from August 27, then Alberta from August 31, with Ontario and BC mostly on September 8 and Ottawa-Carleton on September 1. Nova Scotia's provincial term begins September 1.
When do schools end in Canada in 2027?
Classes end between June 22 and June 30, 2027, depending on the province and board. Québec centres end around June 22 to 23, Calgary on June 25, Edmonton and most Ontario boards on June 28 to 29, and Nova Scotia on June 30. Secondary schools often finish earlier than elementary schools.
When is winter break in 2026-27?
Winter break is about December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027 in Ontario, Québec, BC and Alberta, with Nova Scotia from December 22. A few boards start earlier or finish later, such as Burnaby (from December 18) and Calgary (December 19 to January 3). Classes resume on January 4 in most places.
When is March break in 2027?
March break is March 15 to 19 in Ontario, March 8 to 12 in Nova Scotia and March 1 to 5 in Québec. BC and Alberta boards set their own dates, from March 15 to as late as April 2. See the March break page for every board and the longest trip that misses no school.
Why do school calendars differ across Canada?
Education is a provincial responsibility, and boards or districts set most of their own dates inside provincial rules. Ontario's Ministry fixes the March break week and approves each board's calendar, while Québec, BC and Alberta leave more choices to boards. That is why two neighbouring boards can start or finish on different days.
Are these dates official?
Yes. Every date on these pages was read from the board's or province's own 2026-27 calendar, and each board links to its source. Boards can amend their calendars, and individual schools can differ, so confirm with your child's school before you book travel.
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Last updated: November 3, 2026Dates are read from each board's own 2026-27 calendar and are subject to change. Schools can differ from their board, so confirm with your child's school before you book.Source: Provincial and school board calendars, linked on each province page.