Year in Canada

Year in accordance to the Interpretation Act

Construction of “year”

The expression “year” means, as stated by the Canada´s Interpretation Act, which provides rules for the interpretation of legislation, any period of twelve consecutive months, except that a reference:

• to a “calendar year” means a period of twelve consecutive months commencing on January;
• to a “financial year” or “fiscal year” means, in relation to money provided by Parliament, or the Consolidated Revenue Fund, or the accounts, taxes or finances of Canada, the period beginning on April in one calendar year and ending on March in the next calendar year; and
• by number to a Dominical year means the period of twelve consecutive months commencing on January of that Dominical year.

Governor in Council may define year

Following the Canada´s Interpretation legislation, where in legislation (or piece of legislation) relating to the affairs of Parliament or the Government of Canada there is a reference to a period of a year without anything in the context to indicate beyond doubt whether a financial or fiscal year, any period of twelve consecutive months or a period of twelve consecutive months commencing on January is intended, the Governor in Council may prescribe which of those periods of twelve consecutive months shall constitute a year for the purposes of the legislation.

See Also

• Time Computation
• Holiday
• Year
• Standard Time