A group that represents Canadian businesses is urging provincial governments not to declare Monday, September 19 a paid holiday.
“There are many ways to honor the legacy of the Queen’s life,” Jasmin Guénette, vice-president of national affairs at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), told CTVNews.ca. “But at the same time, it’s important not to hurt small businesses.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Monday, September 19 will be a federal holiday and a day of mourning as Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral will be held in London.
“We will work with the provinces and territories to try to see that we are aligned on this,” Trudeau told reporters Tuesday. “For our part, we will let federal employees know that Monday will be a day of mourning.”
Only federal government employees will be able to have the day off, unless the provinces also declare a statutory holiday.
The premiers of Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan have previously declared that the day of the Queen’s funeral will be a day of remembrance and mourning, similar to Remembrance Day, but not a provincial holiday. However, provincial holidays will take place in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Manitoba will only close non-essential government services and offices. Alberta has yet to comment.
Following Trudeau’s announcement on Tuesday, CFIB released a statement urging provincial governments not to make September 19 a paid holiday.
“With six days’ notice, it would be deeply unfair to small businesses and cost the economy billions,” CFIB President Dan Kelly said. “Small businesses are already struggling with labor shortages and forcing them to shut down or pay their employees time and a half without notice would be extremely costly or result in a day’s lost productivity.”
Founded in 1971, CFIB presents itself as the largest association of small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. The nonprofit advocacy group currently has more than 95,000 members.
“Typically, our members are opposed to additional statutory holidays, the reason being the costs,” explained Guénette.
CFIB cites the UK as an example. There, September 19 will be a holidaymeaning government services and schools won’t operate, but businesses can stay open as usual.
“The UK has not required businesses to close on this day, but the government is asking employers to show flexibility,” Guénette said. Guénette urges Canadian companies to be flexible as well, perhaps observing a minute of silence or giving employees time to reflect.
Elsewhere in the Commonwealth realms, Australians and New Zealanders will have the day off as those countries hold unique national public holidays after funerals on September 22 and September 26 respectively.
Other Canadian business groups, such as the Business Council of Canada, declined to comment on the matter.
“As the majority of workplaces fall under provincial jurisdiction, we will leave it up to each province to decide how best to proceed,” a spokesperson for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce told CTVNews.ca. “However, we respect the will of the federal government to act in areas of federal jurisdiction to mark the occasion of the Queen’s funeral and to commemorate her extraordinary personal contribution to Canada.”
With files from CTV News Parliamentary Desk writer Spencer Van Dyk
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