Last Updated: October 9, 2026
Please be advised that this site is not affiliated with Service Canada. It was created to provide general EI information only.
Due to the national Canadian Thanksgiving Day holiday on Monday, October 12, 2026, all EI claimants (regular or special benefits) may experience a delay of one business day in receiving their Employment Insurance cheques or direct deposit. Service Canada centres and the EI call centre are closed for the holiday and reopen on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
How the Holiday Shifts Your EI Payment
| Item | Thanksgiving week detail |
|---|---|
| Holiday | Monday, October 12, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day) |
| Service Canada centres | Closed Oct 12; reopen Tue, Oct 13 |
| EI call centre (1-800-206-7218) | Closed Oct 12 |
| EI direct deposit | Delayed by one business day |
| Reports completed over the weekend (Fri Oct 9 – Sun Oct 11) | Deposit expected Tuesday, October 13, or Wednesday, October 14, 2026, depending on your bank |
| EI cheques by mail | Delayed — Canada Post does not deliver on Oct 12 |
| EI Internet & Telephone Reporting Services | Available as usual, including on the holiday |
Keep Reporting on Schedule
The holiday does not change your reporting deadline. Complete your claimant’s report on time using the EI Internet Reporting Service or the Telephone Reporting Service — both stay available over the long weekend. Filing late can delay your payment further, on top of the one-day holiday shift. Please plan accordingly.
If Your Payment Has Not Arrived by Thursday, October 15
- Check your payment information in My Service Canada Account.
- Confirm with your bank — some institutions post deposits later in the day.
- Call EI at 1-800-206-7218 (from Tuesday, October 13 onward) if the payment is still missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my EI payment be delayed by Thanksgiving 2026?
Yes, by one business day. Because Monday, October 12 is a statutory holiday, deposits that would normally land Tuesday are expected Tuesday, October 13 or Wednesday, October 14, depending on your bank.
Is the EI office open on Thanksgiving Monday?
No. Service Canada centres and the EI call centre are closed on October 12, 2026, and reopen October 13.
Can I still complete my EI report on the holiday?
Yes. The EI Internet Reporting Service and Telephone Reporting Service remain available, and your report is still due on its regular schedule.
Source: Canada.ca — Government of Canada statutory holiday closures. See also our Service Canada 2026 Statutory Holiday Closures & Office Hours Guide.
