What are the standard probation periods in Canada?

In Canada, probation periods are used by employers to assess an employee's suitability for the role and to determine how well they fit with the company culture. The purpose of probation is to allow the employer to evaluate the employee's performance while giving them the ability to terminate the employee without notice or severance if the employee is deemed unsuitable.


Standard Probation Period

The typical probation period in Canada is 3 months. During this time, the employer has the flexibility to assess the employee’s performance, behavior, and overall fit with the organization.

Exceptions: Longer Probation Periods

In three provinces, the standard probation period is extended to 6 months:

  • New Brunswick
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Yukon


Probation Extensions

Employers can choose to extend the probation period beyond the standard 3 or 6 months if they wish. However, once the standard probation period has passed, an employer no longer has the ability to terminate the employee without notice or severance unless the employee is deemed unsuitable.

The main reason an employer might want to extend probation is to retain the option of terminating the employee if their performance or fit with the company is not deemed satisfactory. However, extending the probation period does not give the employer the right to bypass statutory requirements for notice and severance once the initial probationary period ends.

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