Severance Pay Calculator Canada 2026
Estimate province-specific severance—ESA statutory minimum and common-law reasonable notice. Ontario, BC, Alberta, and all provinces. Enter years of service and salary for an instant estimate.
In Canada, severance has two layers: ESA (Employment Standards Act) minimums—the legal floor—and common law reasonable notice, which courts often award in addition. Ontario has the clearest ESA severance rules (1 week per year, 5+ years, $2.5M+ payroll). Other provinces rely more on common law. This severance pay calculator Canada gives you a ballpark for both. Always consult an employment lawyer before accepting or negotiating.
Estimate your severance
Select your province, enter years of service and annual salary. The calculator shows ESA minimum (where applicable) and a common-law ballpark.
Common-law estimate (ballpark)
$26,923
~20 weeks ($1,346/week)
Based on ~1 month per year. Actual common law varies by Bardal factors (age, tenure, position, re-employment).
ESA statutory minimum
$6,731
5 weeks
ESA applies if employer payroll ≥ $2.5M or 50+ employees laid off within 6 months.
This is an estimate. Consult an employment lawyer for advice. ESA is the legal floor; common law often awards more.
Severance by province
Province-specific severance pages with SEO content:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Take-home pay and financial planning
After job loss: estimate EI benefits, take-home by province, and how long savings last:
What is ESA severance?
ESA (Employment Standards Act) severance is the statutory minimum in provinces that require it. In Ontario, employers with payroll ≥$2.5M (or 50+ employees laid off within 6 months) must pay 1 week of pay per year of service, up to 26 weeks, for employees with 5+ years. This is the legal floor. Our severance pay calculator Canada shows ESA when applicable. For income tax on severance, use our Canada Tax Calculator.
What is common law reasonable notice?
Common law reasonable notice is what courts award when employment contracts are silent. It is based on Bardal factors: age, length of service, character of employment, and availability of similar work. Typically 1–2 months per year of service; senior or specialized roles may get more. Common law often exceeds ESA significantly. Use the calculator for a ballpark; an employment lawyer can advise on your specific case.
Ontario severance: 1 week per year
Ontario ESA severance = 1 week of regular pay per year of service, up to 26 weeks. Eligibility: 5+ years of service and (employer payroll ≥$2.5M or 50+ employees terminated in 6 months). The calculator applies this when you select Ontario. For EI after severance runs out, use our EI Benefits Calculator Canada. For US equivalents, see our US Severance Calculator.
When to use a severance calculator
Use a severance pay calculator Canada when you are laid off or negotiating termination to get a quick estimate of ESA minimum vs common-law ballpark. It helps you understand whether an employer's offer is fair before you accept or negotiate. For financial runway after job loss, pair it with our Emergency Fund Calculator and Money Duration Calculator. Always consult an employment lawyer for legal advice.