How to Write Resignation Letter Email: 6 Canadian Examples

By Mustafa Tarabya, founder of CVBooster · Published 2026-10-07 · Updated 2026-10-07

7 min read

To write a resignation letter email, put "Resignation: [your name], [job title]" in the subject line, say in the first sentence that you are resigning, give your last working day as a date, thank your manager in one line and offer a handover. Send it to your manager and copy HR. The one constraint is your province: some require written notice of a set length, and an email counts as written notice in at least one of them. The Government of Alberta says the notice must be "given in person, sent electronically or otherwise provided to the employer". Below are the rules by province, the structure and six complete emails. Written by Mustafa Tarabya, who hired for his own company, read every application himself and now writes CVBooster's guides.

The cursor has been blinking in the subject line for twenty minutes. That is normal. The hard part was deciding to leave; the email is five lines.

The structure of a resignation email

Every example below follows the same order. The alis career site explains why writing it down matters: "By writing down the information you can avoid any misunderstandings."

• Subject line: Resignation, then your name and job title. No jokes, no "quick question".
• First sentence: I am resigning from my position as [title], effective [date].
• One line of reason, optional and positive.
• One line of thanks that is specific.
• Handover: the tasks you will finish and who you will train.
• Sign off with your full name and phone number.

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Can you email a resignation letter in Canada?

Yes, at most employers, and it is often the cleanest way because the email carries a date and time. Talk to your manager first if you can, in person or on a call, then send the email the same day so the decision is on record. Check your employment contract or collective agreement, since some ask for notice in a specific form.

The province matters for the notice period, not the medium:

• Alberta requires written notice from employees. The government page says: "Employees who wish to resign, quit or retire to end their employment are required to give written notice." The period is one week after more than 90 days of work and two weeks after two years or more.
• British Columbia does not require notice from employees. The BC government says: "Employers usually like some notice before an employee quits, but this is not required."
• Ontario's Employment Standards Act guide sets an employee resignation notice rule in specific situations, such as mass terminations, so for most Ontario jobs your contract and common courtesy set the period.

If you are federally regulated, or in another province or territory, check your own employment standards office. Two weeks is the common courtesy across Canada either way.

Resignation email with two weeks of notice

The standard version. Two weeks gives your manager time to post the job and gives you time to hand over properly.

Resignation email when you are leaving for a new job

You do not have to name the new employer. If you are leaving for a competitor, it is usually wiser not to until your last day.

Short resignation email

When the relationship is strained, or you simply prefer few words, keep it to the facts. Short is still professional.

Resignation email to a manager and HR

In larger organizations, send the email to your manager and copy HR, or send a short follow up to HR after your manager knows. HR needs the date to issue your Record of Employment and final pay.

Resignation email when you cannot give full notice

Sometimes you have to leave quickly, for health, family or safety reasons. Say so briefly, apologise once, and offer what help you can. In a province with a notice requirement, read the rules first, because leaving without notice can have consequences for your final pay.

After you press send

Save a copy of the sent email in a personal folder. Ask HR for your last pay date, unused vacation pay and when your Record of Employment will be issued. The BC government notes that quitting "may affect their eligibility for federal government benefits", so if you might need Employment Insurance, check before you send, not after.

If you need a formal printed letter as well, our free resignation letter examples give six versions to copy, and the 2 week notice letter guide covers timing. When you are ready for the next application, read how to write a job application email. CVBooster helps with the resume for that next job: you need an account, the free plan lets you fill in your resume by hand and see your ATS score and missing keywords, and the AI tailoring, templates and the finished file are Pro.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it professional to resign by email?

Yes, as long as you tell your manager in person or by phone first when you can. The email then confirms the decision with a date and time. Keep it short, positive and specific about your last day, and copy HR if your workplace has an HR team.

What should the subject line of a resignation email be?

Use "Resignation" followed by your full name and job title, for example "Resignation: Priya Nair, Cashier". It tells your manager what the email is before they open it, makes it easy for HR to find later and avoids the confusion of a vague subject.

How much notice do I have to give when I resign in Canada?

It depends on your province and your contract. Alberta requires written notice of one week after more than 90 days and two weeks after two years. British Columbia does not require employee notice. Two weeks is the common courtesy across Canada, and senior staff often give more.

Does a resignation email count as written notice?

In Alberta, yes: the government says notice can be "sent electronically" as long as it is in writing, addressed to the employer and for the correct period. Elsewhere an email is generally accepted as written notice, but check your contract or collective agreement for a required format.

Should I resign by email before or after talking to my manager?

After, if you can. A short conversation first shows respect and lets your manager hear it from you rather than reading it. Then send the email the same day so the resignation date is on record. If a conversation is not possible, a clear and polite email alone is acceptable.

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