Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared on Tuesday that September 19 would be a public holiday so that federal government employees can mourn Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral.
Trudeau also said he was working with the provinces on a possible holiday for other workers. The provinces have jurisdiction in this regard.
“Declaring an opportunity for Canadians to mourn on Monday will be important,” Trudeau said. “For our part, we will let federal government employees know that Monday will be a day of mourning during which they will not be working.”
The late Queen was head of state for 45% of Canada’s existence and visited the country 22 times as a monarch.
However, Quebec Premier Francois Legault told reporters on Tuesday that Monday would be a day of remembrance, but not a public holiday in the French-speaking province.
The Canadian memorial ceremonies taking place on Monday include a parade, flypast and church service in Ottawa that will be nationally televised.
King Charles III was officially proclaimed the monarch of Canada on Saturday at a ceremony in Ottawa attended by Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon, who is the British monarch’s deputy head of state, a position primarily ceremonial and symbolic.
Trudeau and the new leader of the Conservative opposition party, Pierre Poilievre, expressed their support for Carlos.
Although Canadians are somewhat indifferent to the monarchy, many were very fond of the figure of Queen Elizabeth, whose silhouette appears on their coins.
In general, the anti-monarchy movement in Canada is minimal, so it is almost certain that Charles will remain the king of the country.
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