The four Atlantic provinces, British Columbia and Yukon all declared Monday a holiday for provincial and territorial public sector employees, including teachers and school staff.

		Read more: Canada declares public holiday on death of Queen Elizabeth.  Here’s who gets it 		
		read more 		


			Canada declares public holiday for death of Queen Elizabeth.  Here’s who gets it

However, most private sector businesses will remain open, leaving many workers struggling to find childcare or in some cases taking time off unpaid. Christine Grace, a Dartmouth, NS-based mother of two in Years 5 and 2, said the decision to mark the Queen’s funeral by giving public sector workers a holiday was disappointing. She said closing schools but not declaring a full statutory holiday was putting many workers in a bind to care for children. Story continues below ad 1:02 Trudeau announces that Canada will have a national holiday for the death of Queen Elizabeth II Trudeau announces that Canada will have a national holiday for the death of Queen Elizabeth II Grace said that after two years of school disruptions related to the pandemic, it’s frustrating for families to once again have to deal with a sudden closure. “I think these kinds of decisions disproportionately affect women,” she said. “It’s also a missed opportunity to discuss the monarchy in Canada and maybe hold an assembly during the funeral or observe a moment of silence.” Trending Stories

			Elias Theodorou, Canadian UFC fighter and cannabis advocate, dies at age 34 	   				Canada declares public holiday for death of Queen Elizabeth.  Here’s who gets it 	     



		Read more: No public holiday in Alberta on Monday for Queen’s ‘day of mourning’

Judy Haven, a researcher at the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives and a professor emeritus at Saint Mary’s University, said it’s a “travesty” to claim Monday is a holiday when only civil servants have the day off. “They’re trying to push the idea that workers have more rights in this province and that’s absolutely not true,” he said. “It’s actually the other way around because now some parents will miss a payday because they have childcare responsibilities.” Story continues below ad Working parents are not the only ones affected by school closures. 1:04 No public holiday in Alberta, but a day of mourning Monday in honor of the Queen No public holiday in Alberta, but a day of mourning Monday in honor of the Queen Businesses are also juggling schedules to accommodate workers who need to stay home to care for children. “This came out of the blue and left some employees scrambling to find alternative childcare arrangements or book the day off,” said Gary Sands, senior vice-president of public policy at the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. “A lot of businesses are facing labor shortages, so that’s definitely an issue.” Louis-Philippe Gauthier, vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Atlantic, said some small businesses already have reduced hours due to staff shortages.

		Read more: Canadian banks to stay open Monday after feds declare holiday for Queen’s death

Story continues below ad “This could affect the ability of some businesses to operate simply if workers can’t come because of school closures,” he said. “It’s just very challenging.” Mark von Schellwitz, vice-president of Western Canada with Restaurants Canada, said the biggest challenge in the restaurant industry right now is also the labor shortage. “It’s really, really hard to find staff,” he said. “A lot of businesses are already at about 80% because they just don’t have the staff to open full time.” “If workers have to stay home because of school closures, that makes it even more difficult for restaurants.” © 2022 The Canadian Press