Alberta has followed the federal government’s lead and declared Monday, Sept. 19 a provincial day of mourning “in solemn recognition of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
However, it will not be treated as a statutory holiday.
On Monday, the prime minister announced Canada will observe a national day of mourning on Sept. 19. The holiday will coincide with the queen’s funeral in London, U.K.
“We have also chosen to move forward with a federal holiday on Monday,” Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
“We will be working with the provinces and the territories to try and see that we’re aligned on this. There are still a few details to be worked out, but declaring an opportunity for Canadians to mourn on Monday is going to be important.”
While Trudeau has said Monday would be a “federal holiday,” which normally applies to public servants and federally regulated workers, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan later said in a tweet that federally regulated workers will not get the day off automatically.
He said it would only be for “federal government employees.”
Canada declares federal holiday on Sept. 19 to mark Queen’s state funeral
“I think the best case scenario would be if the government were to declare it a commemorative or ceremonial holiday and leave it up to employers as to whether they want to close or provide employees with a day off,” Kathleen Cook with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said Tuesday.
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“We found out that it’s really only going to apply to federal government workers so it’s not going to apply to federal workers in general,” said Karen Tereposky, a Calgary-based labour and employment lawyer with Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.
“As far as provinces, it’s sort of been left, at this point, for each province to decide if they’re going to have it apply to their workers.
“Since provincial responsibility is over employment, the federal government can’t tell the provinces what to do in that regard,” Tereposky said.
In Alberta, people are invited to attend an outdoor ceremony and moment of silence at 10 a.m. on Monday at the legislature.
“Workplaces, schools, offices and retail stores are encouraged to also observe the moment of silence,” a Wednesday news release from the province said.
“As part of the day of mourning, all employers are encouraged to make accommodations for employees to either attend the ceremony at the legislature or otherwise mark the occasion of Her late Majesty’s funeral.
“Schools will be encouraged to offer opportunities for students to take part in the day of mourning.
Members of the public can also sign books of condolence at the Alberta legislature and other provincial buildings until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept.18 and online until noon on Monday, Sept. 19.
“Albertans, Canadians and the peoples of the Commonwealth will join together on this day in sorrow to mourn the death of Her late Majesty and to commemorate her long and faithful service,” Premier Jason Kenney said in a news release. “I sincerely hope that Albertans find some time on this day to honour the remarkable life of Queen Elizabeth II and I strongly encourage employers and schools to appropriately mark this sombre and historic occasion.”
— More to come…
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