Businesses React To September 19 Holiday
HALIFAX — There was a lot of confusion this week about who in Canada gets a holiday on Monday and who doesn’t. Queen Elizabeth’s upcoming funeral, and the federal government’s announcement the day will be a holiday in Canada, raised a debate across the nation over the appropriateness of a sudden, unexpected paid holiday.
The dust began to settle when the federal government clarified that the holiday would only affect federal employees. Each province then released its own details on what will be closed or open on Monday. The day quickly turned into a nationwide patchwork of a holiday.
In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, government offices and schools will be closed. Businesses will be able to decide for themselves whether or not to stay open.
Louis-Philippe Gauthier, the Atlantic region’s vice president for CFIB, says it’s good businesses can stay open. But, since all schools and many daycares will be closed, it will leave businesses and workers scrambling for childcare.
“In provinces where it’s affecting school closures, then it does bring into consideration that some of our employees and business owners will have to shuffle things to find services or alternatives to deal with childcare,” Gauthier told Huddle.
“The provinces should have decided to take the approach of Manitoba — just closing the provincial government and not closing schools. Or they could have taken the position of Ontario and Quebec and not close anything.”
Many in the small business community have argued this week that a forced closure on Monday is too much to bear while they are still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
CFIB President Dan Kelly was particularly vocal on Twitter about what a forced holiday would mean for businesses.
“CFIB is pleased most provinces found ways to recognize the day without shuttering the private sector. Keep in mind that in parts of Canada, restaurants/gyms were ordered to close for up to 430 days over the past 2 years,” he tweeted.
In an email to members, Halifax Chamber of Commerce CEO Patrick Sullivan echoed similar concerns, noting September is a holiday-heavy month.
“A holiday is costly to all businesses but does especially impact small and medium businesses. We are still in recovery mode from the pandemic and many businesses are also facing labour shortages and supply chain issues. September this year will have three holidays, and businesses are faced with additional costs for these days off,” wrote Sullivan.
“Although we all understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for most, government needs to consider the impact on businesses before adding holidays. Is there another way to honour a loss in the future?”
Despite most provinces deciding to not make Monday a statutory holiday for the private sector, PEI has announced a full-scale holiday for the Queen’s funeral. Businesses that decide to stay open will have to pay employees extra like any other holiday.
“Our members in PEI, for them it’s a full day of costs and no revenue,” said Gauthier. “There are ways of remembering this moment in our history that are equally valid without imposing all these costs on businesses.”
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].