No holiday in Ontario for Queen’s funeral; legislature to pay tribute today

Ontario will not have a provincial holiday when the queen is laid to rest on Sep. 19, Premier Doug Ford confirmed on Tuesday.

In a statement, Ford said: “Ontario will mark Sep. 19, 2022 as a provincial Day of Mourning in lieu of a provincial holiday.”

“The people of Ontario may observe a moment of silence at 1:00 p.m. on that day.”

Ford said the Day of Mourning will “give all Ontarians an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable life of Queen Elizabeth II and her unrelenting commitment to service and duty.”

“It also allows students to be in school learning about the many contributions the Queen made to the people of Ontario, Canada, and the entire Commonwealth, as well as the accession of King Charles III,” he added.

Ontario legislature to pay tribute on Wednesday

Members of Ontario’s legislature are set to pay tribute to the Queen on Wednesday.

Premier Doug Ford, interim NDP leader Peter Tabuns and the independent members, which includes the Liberals, are due to give speeches.

Before the tributes, the members of provincial parliament will also be able to take part in an optional group ceremony to reaffirm oaths of allegiance to the King.

Following the speeches in honour of the Queen – who died last Thursday – the legislature is expected to adjourn until Oct. 25, the day after the municipal elections.

Earlier this week, Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell proclaimed the accession of King Charles III in a ceremony at the legislature.

There is also a book of condolences on display for the public, which Ford and Dowdeswell signed on Friday.

Trudeau announces federal holiday

Earlier Tuesday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the day of the queen’s funeral will be a federal holiday and a national day of mourning.

The federal holiday will be for federal employees but it will be up to provincial and territorial governments to declare the holiday for the remaining workers.

The Labour Minister’s office clarified that federally regulated private companies, like airlines or telecoms, are encouraged to give employees the day off but it is not mandatory.

British officials announced on Saturday that the Queen’s state funeral would take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Queen Elizabeth II, the only British monarch many Canadians have ever known, died at the age of 96 last Thursday.

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With files from Michael Ranger