Following decisions made by federal and provincial governments and announced by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and BC premier John Horgan earlier this week, City of Powell River is also shutting down on Monday, September 19.
The city will join the province and country in observing a national day of mourning to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth.
All facilities will be closed on Monday, September 19, including city hall and Powell River Recreation Complex, in remembrance of the monarch.
Trudeau said the holiday applies to all federal employees and whether the holiday will extend to other residents is up to each province or territory.
Horgan made the same statement about provincial public-sector employers, and that K-12 public schools and public post-secondary institutions, and most Crown corporations, would close.
“We encourage private-sector employers to find a way to recognize or reflect on the day in a way that is appropriate for their employees,” stated Horgan.
In BC, the day will not be considered a statutory holiday, meaning private-sector employers won’t have to pay overtime to staff who work Monday.
Gee, thanks, for thinking of everyone.
Businesses can decide on their own to shut down for the day and lose revenue, or explain to employees that they have to work for regular pay while others are given a paid day off. And who pays for that?
Coverage of the Queen’s funeral begins at 2 am Pacific time and is expected to continue until 9 am. Who is setting an alarm? No one wants to be tired on their unexpected day off.
Setting the PVR is an option, but for those who have to juggle work and find care for or entertain their children, when will there be time to watch it? They’ll just have to find a moment sometime during the day to say goodbye to the Queen, if they care to. But couldn’t we all have done that without a costly day off?
