Monday is not a stat holiday in B.C. but schools and Crown corporations will get day off to mourn Queen

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B.C. Premier John Horgan has declared Monday, Sept. 19, a day of mourning as the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II is buried in the U.K.

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Public schools and Crown corporations will be closed. Monday was not declared a statutory holiday.

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“Over the last few days, British Columbians have joined with people across the country and around the world in an outpouring of support for the Royal Family over the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. Our government will follow the lead of the federal government and join with other provinces in observing the national day of mourning to mark the Queen’s funeral,” Horgan said on Tuesday afternoon.

“The national holiday will be observed Monday, Sept. 19 by federal employees. We have advised provincial public-sector employers to honour this day in recognition of the obligations around federal holidays in the vast majority of provincial collective agreements.

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“K-12 public schools and public post-secondary institutions, and most Crown corporations will be closed. We encourage private-sector employers to find a way to recognize or reflect on the day in a way that is appropriate for their employees.

“This will be a national day to reflect on the incredible life of Canada’s Queen and the longest-serving monarch in British history.”

A federal statutory holiday means it’s a paid holiday for federal employees, including postal workers and federal office workers.

Federally regulated sectors such as banks and airlines were left to their own devices, with federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan saying they “are welcomed to follow suit, but they are not required to do so.”

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Ontario and Quebec have said they will not make Sept. 19 a holiday.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford instead called for a provincial day of mourning, where Ontarians can observe a moment of silence at 1 p.m.

Quebec said Monday will be a day of commemoration.

Prince Edward Island, however, has already declared Sept. 19 to be a one-time statutory holiday for the province.

And New Brunswick said its schools and government offices will be closed on that day. Private businesses have been given the option of observing the day or not.

Manitoba is keeping schools open, while Alberta has not declared its intent.

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is scheduled for 3 a.m. PT on Monday.

Several commemorative events are planned in Ottawa and across the country following the funeral.

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In B.C., a ceremonial procession and commemorative service will be held for the Queen. The procession will start from the B.C. Parliament Buildings and make its way to Christ Church Cathedral at 930 Burdett Avenue.

B.C. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Premier John Horgan, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces and other dignitaries are expected to participate in the procession, which starts at 10:15 a.m.. A 21-gun salute will be fired.

The service at the cathedral will be led by Rev. M. Ansley Tucker and will be live streamed. Public seating inside the church will be limited.

With files from The Canadian Press 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify that Monday is not a statutory holiday in B.C. 

chchan@postmedia.com

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