By The Canadian Press
Long lines of mourners lay flowers near a Canadian flag as people wait to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II near the gates of Buckingham Palace in London on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declared Sept. 19 a federal holiday to mourn Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral in London.
Some provinces have announced their own plans, while others were taking their time. But with less than a week to prepare, businesses and employees are trying to make sense of what it means for them.
Here’s what we know so far:
What did the federal government announce?
The prime minister announced on Tuesday that Sept. 19 will be a federal holiday.
All federal government employees will have the day off, but the same does not automatically apply to workers in federally regulated industries such as banks and airlines.
The federal government left the decision to follow suit to individual provinces and territories.
What are the different types of holidays in Canada?
Canada has nine designated paid statutory holidays at the federal level. In addition, the federal government also recognizes Remembrance Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which are not paid days off across Canada. Provinces also have their own local provincial or civic holidays, such as Family Day.
What have provinces/territories decided about Sept. 19?
— P.E.I.: The province has declared the day a one-time statutory holiday for all provincially regulated workers. Government offices and public schools will be closed.
— Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador: The provinces will close schools and government offices, but the holiday will be optional for private-sector businesses and employers.
— Ontario: The province will not recognize the day as a holiday, saying people can instead observe a moment of silence at 1 p.m.
— Quebec: The province will not recognize the day as a holiday.
— Manitoba: The province will close all non-essential government services and offices for the day, but schools and child-care facilities will be open.
— Saskatchewan: The province will not recognize the day as a holiday.
— British Columbia: The province will recognize the day as a holiday for provincial public-sector employees. Schools, post-secondary institutions and most Crown corporations will be closed.
