Queen's Park, the Ontario provincial legislature, decorated for the holidays with lights, in Toronto, in November, 2025.Giordano Ciampini/The Canadian Press

The holidays, tragically, are winding down for another year. Beloved family traditions, laughter with loved ones, a long winter’s nap: These are some of the things that make the season magical. Little wonder that so many Canadians will trudge back to work next week repeating one rueful piece of office small-talk like a koan: The December break is always too short.

But some governments have found a way to achieve a true miracle of the season: stretching out their holidays.

Provincial governments hold the power to set their annual parliamentary calendars, and most of Canada’s legislatures concluded their fall sessions ahead of the winter break in December. Alberta finished up an eventful session after 58 days; Quebec’s Assemblée Nationale decided to recess after 82 days. The majority will start their spring sessions in February.

Not so in Ontario, which wrapped its fall session after just 51 days – 24 fewer than the year before. What’s more, Ontario’s extended 14-week break won’t end until March 23. The work of government and committees will continue, but the messy, important labour of legislating is on a long pause.

Nova Scotia’s schedule was even more egregious.........

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