National Day Of Mourning In Canada To Bid Farewell To Queen Elizabeth II

The national day of mourning will be left up to the provinces to make a decision if they will be observing the day

Canada declares Monday, September 19, 2022, as a national day of mourning for the passing of former Queen Elizabeth III. The National Day of Mourning will be recognized as a national holiday by the civil service of Canada, and employers across the country are also invited to participate.

With the announcement, several provincial governments have opted out of making Monday a national holiday. Provinces such as Quebec and Ontario believe students have missed enough school from the pandemic and will opt for a moment of silence instead of a national holiday.

“This will give all Ontarians an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable life of Queen Elizabeth II and her unrelenting commitment to service and duty,” Said A Statement from Doug Ford

“On September 19, Canadians from across the country will pay their respects to Canada’s longest-reigning sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For most Canadians, she was the only monarch we ever knew and many of us felt a deep affection and appreciation for her dedication to Canada. This is a time to honour an extraordinary life of public service marked by grace, dignity, and an unwavering sense of duty.” The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

As per the readout from the Prime Minister’s office, the government has planned to mark the Queen’s passing, which includes a national commemorative ceremony to honour the life and service of Her Majesty. The ceremony will be held at the Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa on September 19, 2022, at 11:00 am. It will be preceded by a memorial parade and a 96-gun salute – one shot for each year of Her Majesty’s life – and followed by a flypast of Royal Canadian Air Force CF‑18s. The ceremony includes a memorial parade broadcast live for everyone to watch.

The national holiday has garnered mixed opinions from Canadians. Half are excited to be receiving a second long weekend within September. On the other hand, many small business owners are trying to figure out how they will pay for the increased cost of paying statutory wages and the loss of revenues from closing for the day.

Statutory holidays in Canada can only be granted through legislation, which must pass through the House of Commons and the Senate and receive Royal Assent. The Government of Canada has consulted the provinces and territories, who will determine an appropriate way to mourn Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in their jurisdictions.