“This will give all Ontarians an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable life of Queen Elizabeth II and her relentless commitment to service and duty,” Ford said in a statement. “It also allows students to be at school learning about the many contributions the Queen has made to the people of Ontario, Canada and the entire Commonwealth, as well as the coming of King Charles III.”
Ford said Ontarians are welcome to observe a moment of silence at 1 p.m. on September 19, when the Queen’s funeral will be held in London.
“We encourage all Ontarians to use this day to honor Her Majesty and pay tribute to the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind,” Ford said.
His statement follows an announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier in the day that September 19 will be a public holiday for federal government employees to mark the Queen’s death.
“Declaring an opportunity for Canadians to mourn on Monday will be important,” Trudeau said.
Federal Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan clarified in a tweet that employers in federally regulated sectors such as banking and air travel are not required to observe the holiday but are welcome to do so.
Trudeau said each province will be able to determine how it observes the day.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) urged the provinces not to declare a statutory holiday, saying doing so on such short notice would hurt small businesses.
“With six days’ notice, it would be deeply unfair to small businesses and cost the economy billions,” CFIB President Dan Kelly said in a statement. “For many small businesses, such as restaurants, hotels and movie theaters, this would mean paying more to stay open.”
He said the provinces “should follow the UK’s example and leave Monday as a memorial holiday without requiring businesses to close or pay in lieu”.
Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick plan to make Sept. 19 a statutory holiday for federal and provincial employees, and schools will remain closed. Quebec Premier Francois Lego said his province will have a day of remembrance, but not a holiday.
A plane carried the body of Queen Elizabeth II back to London on Tuesday, and wreaths of mourners gathered to watch its procession to Buckingham Palace.
Yesterday Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell signed a proclamation of accession recognizing the late Queen’s son King Charles III as the new monarch.
It was the first time a declaration of accession had been signed in Ontario since Queen Elizabeth II was recognized as the new monarch in 1952.
