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Resignation letter example for Canada

Notice is set by your contract or your province's employment standards; where nothing is set, two weeks is common. A resignation letter Canada employers accept gives your last day and asks for your final pay, vacation pay owed and your Record of Employment.

Free · no login · download as PDF · Updated 28 September 2026

By Rajesh Kumar · How these pages are made

Include

Check your contract. Your contract, or your province's employment standards, set how much notice you give; two weeks is the usual courtesy. Your employer issues your Record of Employment when you leave, and vacation pay you are owed comes with your final pay.

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Add your name, job title, company and last working day. The letter states your last working day, respects your notice period and asks for what you need when you leave: the things HR looks for.

Sample letter

Written by the form above for a made-up person. Fill in the form to write yours.

Sample: Canada, formal, 2 weeks notice

September 26, 2026

David Leblanc
Northwind Inc.

Dear David,

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from the position of Senior Analyst at Northwind Inc. I have accepted an opportunity that fits closely with my long-term career goals. In line with my notice period of two weeks, my last working day will be October 10, 2026.

Until my last working day, I will complete a full handover of my work and responsibilities, and I am glad to help train my replacement so that nothing is left pending.

I would be grateful if you could confirm my final pay, including any vacation pay owed, and issue my Record of Employment after my last day.

I am sincerely thankful for the opportunities I have had at Northwind Inc., and for the support of my colleagues and leadership during my time here.

Please let me know if you need anything further from me to complete the formalities.

Sincerely,
Emma Tremblay
Senior Analyst

More examples

Resignation letter template Canada: two weeks' notice, vacation pay and Record of Employment

[Date]

Dear [Manager's name],

Please accept this letter as my resignation from my position as [Your job title] at [Company name]. My last day will be [Last day, two weeks from today], in line with my employment contract.

I will wrap up my open work and prepare handover notes for [colleague's name]. Please let me know about my final pay, my vacation pay owed, and when my Record of Employment will be issued.

Thank you for the opportunity to work with the team.

Sincerely,
[Your full name]

Resignation email Canada: short, two weeks' notice

Subject: Resignation: [Your full name]

Hi [Manager's first name],

As we discussed, I am resigning from my role as [Job title]. My last day will be [Last day]. I'll make sure the handover is complete. Could you confirm my vacation pay and ROE timing?

Thanks,
[Your full name]

Resigning in Canada: at a glance

Notice
Your contract or your province's employment standards set it (some provinces require one or two weeks by length of service); two weeks is common where nothing is set.
In writing?
Put it in writing, by email or a signed letter, and keep a copy.
Final pay
Your province sets the deadline, often within days of your last day or by the next regular payday.
Vacation pay
Vacation pay you've earned and not used is paid with your final pay.
Documents
Your Record of Employment (ROE), filed by your employer with Service Canada, and your T4 slip for the year.
The law
Your province's employment standards act (the Canada Labour Code for federally regulated jobs); the Employment Insurance Act for the ROE.

How much notice to give in Canada

Your contract or your province's employment standards set it (some provinces require one or two weeks by length of service); two weeks is common where nothing is set. Some contracts ask for more in senior roles.

Final pay and your Record of Employment

Vacation pay you're owed comes with your final pay. Your employer issues your Record of Employment (ROE) after you leave; you need it if you ever apply for Employment Insurance. You can see it in your My Service Canada Account once it's filed.

Resigning in Quebec

Quebec's Act respecting labour standards applies, and many workplaces operate in French. The letter here is in English; if your workplace works in French, send it in French. Notice expectations are the same: what your contract says, and two weeks as a courtesy.

Federally regulated jobs

Banks, airlines, telecoms, interprovincial transport and the federal public service follow the Canada Labour Code rather than provincial standards. Your HR team can tell you which applies.

Sources for Canada

Checked on 28 September 2026. Laws change, and your contract, award or company policy can give you more than the minimum, so check it too. This page is general information, not legal advice.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Is two weeks' notice required in Canada?

It depends on your province and your contract. Two weeks is the common courtesy; check your contract for a longer notice.

What is a Record of Employment?

A form your employer files with Service Canada when you leave. It records your hours and earnings and is used for Employment Insurance.

Should the letter be in French in Quebec?

This letter is in English. If you work in French, write it in French.

Can I get EI if I resign in Canada?

Usually not, unless you had just cause to quit, such as unsafe work or harassment. Service Canada decides; your Record of Employment is part of any claim.

Can my employer make my resignation effective immediately?

They can let you go before your notice ends, but depending on your province and contract they may have to pay for the notice period. Check your province's employment standards.

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