Trudeau announces federal holiday

OTTAWA — Provinces and businesses were left scrambling to react Tuesday after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that next Monday will be a federal holiday to mourn Queen Elizabeth II.

While the announcement signalled that federal workers would get a day off on Sept. 19, the day of the Queen's state funeral and of commemorative events across the country, provinces had to work out the details for other workplaces, including schools, with less than a week's notice.

Federally regulated sectors such as banks and airlines were also 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."

In the hours that followed Trudeau's announcement, the government of Prince Edward Island said it would declare a onetime statutory holiday for all provincially regulated workers, and that provincial government offices and public schools would be closed.

A statement said the province “recognizes that many essential services and some employers will need to continue to operate as scheduled,” and that such businesses would follow provisions for employees who work statutory holidays.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador also said they would observe the national day of mourning by closing schools and government offices, but all three provinces said the holiday was optional for private-sector employers. Ontario and Quebec are not recognizing the holiday.

The Ontario government said in a statement that residents can choose to observe a moment of silence at 1 p.m. that day.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault was asked about the possibility on the campaign trail in Montreal on Tuesday. He told reporters that it would be a day of commemoration, but not a public holiday.

Saskatchewan had not made a decision by midday Tuesday, according to Premier Scott Moe's office. A spokesperson for Moe said they had been advised late Monday that a federal holiday was under active consideration, and that talks are still ongoing.

Ahead of the flurry of provincial decisions, Trudeau had said that he would be working with provinces and territories to ensure they're "aligned."

“Declaring an opportunity for Canadians to mourn on Monday is going to be important," Trudeau said at a caucus retreat in New Brunswick on Tuesday.