“We don’t like surprises when we try to orchestrate all the moving parts of children’s programs. It seems a little crazy,” said North Vancouver parent Brendon James. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared the day a federal holiday on Tuesday, the province announced how it would mark the occasion — including a plan to close schools from kindergarten to secondary. While some workers in British Columbia will take time off, many more will not. Grandparent Tim Brooking agrees that parents and carers are getting tied up at the last minute. “It’s very lucky for my daughter because I can take care of the kids,” she said. “In terms of child care, what’s being thrown at the Canadian public right now — it’s just crazy. There’s no warning, it’s just, “You’re going to have a day when you’re going to have to look for childcare.” It is madness.” Sharon Gregson with the Child Care Advocates Coalition said the province’s decision to make Monday a day off only for students and civil servants is making life difficult for workers. “For parents, it’s hard to know if the child care provider will be available. And for operators, their question is: Will they have access to schools if that’s where their program is located? Will they be able to have staff that can go from before and after school to a full-day program?” said Gregson, who added that many facilities have not yet decided whether to open or extend their hours on Monday. “Just as we discovered during the pandemic, childcare is the backbone of how people get to work and how the economy moves,” he added. Brooking, who is visiting the UK, says forcing schools to close for the Queen’s funeral is a step too far. “I do not understand it. If people want to pay their respects to the Queen, that’s fine by me, but forcing them to have a day off to pay their respects is ridiculous and all the problems it creates,” he said. James also believes the Queen deserves recognition but does not believe schools should be closed on the day of her funeral. “He’s done a great job, a great career, I respect that,” he said. “But I think we’re so far away. To put the brakes on an entire day for our society is kind of stupid.”
