This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada, which closed in 2021.

Vacation Time In Canada Shows Disparity Between Provinces, According To Expedia Survey

This Province Has No Problem With Taking Time Off
Description
WikiMedia:
Description

In British Columbia, you can see the Rockies, a stellar view of the Pacific Ocean and also meet some of the least vacation-devoid Canadians in the country. Expedia's 10th Annual Vacation Deprivation Study, an online survey that looks at Canucks' vacation time ranks B.C. as the province with workers most likely to use up all their paid leaves.

When it comes to taking time off, British Columbians showed the greatest turnaround, switching from the most vacation-deprived province in Canada in 2003 to the least-deprived for 2012. The 2003 study showed 41 per cent of participants from B.C. said they did not use up all their vacation time. Now that number has dropped to 13 per cent, the lowest of anywhere in the country.

The province's next door neighbour didn't fare much worse, with 15 per cent of participating Albertans not fully utilizing their vacation days, down from 33 per cent in 2003. Atlantic Canada came in third, with 18 per cent of those surveyed saying they left vacation days on the table. Both Ontario and Quebec followed suit, and 21 per cent of those surveyed said they had unused vacation days.

As for the most vacation-deprived region, that title belonged to the Prairies. Twenty-five per cent of respondents from the region admit to taking less vacation time than they were given. This year still marks an improvement, as vacation deprivation was at 35 per cent in 2003.

On a national level, the survey found 81 per cent of Canadians take full advantage of their given vacation time, up from 67 per cent a decade ago. However, mobile phone and technological advancements have also made Canadians more prone to working while on vacation. Around 59 per cent of Canadians are unable to ditch their emails or voicemails while on holiday.

Stress and wellness expert Beverly Beuermann-King says it's this reluctance to detach from work that could prove harmful to Canadians.

Canadians are not alone in their workaholic ways either. According to an American Expedia study of the same nature, Americans not only took less time off from work, but also received fewer vacation days in 2012 compared to the previous year — down from 14 to 12., reports MoneyNews.

The average Canadian on the other hand, receives 15 vacation days, but like Americans, the biggest obstacles standing between them and time off are travel costs according to Expedia.

Also on HuffPost

Vacation-Deprived

Vacation Deprivation by Country

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.