BC to Support Federal Holiday to Mark Queen's Funeral

The provincial government has confirmed it will support the federal government’s announcement today that it is recognizing September 19, 2022 as a national holiday for federal government employees to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth on the day of her funeral. As such, the provincial government has advised all provincial public sector employers that they should recognize September 19 as a holiday for all employees who are normally entitled to provincial and federal holidays, on a “without prejudice” basis.

The BC Government recognizes that there is little advance notice of this holiday, yet strongly encourages employers to reduce or close services where it can on September 19, and provide staff with a day off with no loss of pay. Where this is not possible, staff who are on duty would be paid that statutory holiday rate of pay for hours worked and receive another day off with pay.

Employees who are not scheduled to work on September 19 would not receive any other days off with pay for this holiday. CSSEA has reminded the government that there will be an increase in costs for employers to recognize this day. Employers are encouraged to continue to discuss and resolve these financial pressures with their funders.

Suggested communications for your employees can be found here.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Also to be Observed This Month

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will once again be observed this year on September 30.

CSSEA was hoping that collective bargaining would be concluded by now to provide employers with direction on this additional statutory holiday. As bargaining is not yet concluded, and as the holiday is not yet formally pronounced by the provincial government, CSSEA advises employers to treat this year’s holiday the same as last year’s. To that end, the same rules as last year continue to apply and details can be found in this CSSEA Info.

If you have any additional questions, please contact your HRLR Consultant or Advocate.