SEPTEMBER 19 WILL BE A FEDERAL HOLIDAY

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Sept. 19 will be a federal holiday to mourn Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral in London.

Speaking at a caucus retreat in New Brunswick today, Trudeau said “declaring an opportunity for Canadians to mourn on Monday is going to be important.”

He says the government will be working with provinces and territories to ensure they’re “aligned.”

Monday will be a holiday for federal government employees, but it will be up to provincial and territorial governments to declare the holiday for remaining workers.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan says employers in federally regulated industries, such as banks and airlines, are not required to recognize the holiday but may opt to do so.

The Prime Minister also says he and the opposition leaders’ offices are working on a final list for the delegation that will attend the funeral in person.

Commemoration ceremonies will be held in Canada Monday, including a parade, a flypast and a church service in Ottawa that will be televised nationally.

Prince Edward Island is making it a stat holiday, while New Brunswick plans to close schools and government offices, but Quebec’s premier says in that province it will be a day of commemoration, but not a public holiday.

In Ontario, Ford says people may observe a moment of silence at 1 p.m. that day.

He says it will give all Ontarians an opportunity to reflect on the Queen’s life and her “unrelenting commitment to service and duty.”