Ontario won't declare a public holiday for Queen Elizabeth's death

Ontario will not declare Monday a public holiday for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral next week, Premier Doug Ford's office confirmed Tuesday.

Instead, the province will mark Sept. 19 as as provincial "Day of Mourning" for Ontarians. People can observe a moment of silence at 1:00 p.m. ET that day, Ford said in a statement.

"This will give all Ontarians an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable life of Queen Elizabeth II and her unrelenting commitment to service and duty," reads thestatement.

Ford's decision notes opting against a holiday willallows students to stay in school and learn about the contributions the Queen made to the people of Ontario and the entire Commonwealth, as well as the accession of King Charles III.

"We encourage all Ontarians to use this day to honour Her Majesty and pay tribute to the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind," the statement said.

• Will the holiday marking the death of Queen Elizabeth impact your Monday plans? Tell us in an email to ask@cbc.ca

The news comes a few hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced next Monday, Sept. 19.,would be a federal holiday.

Trudeau said while it would be a federal holiday for government employees,it's up to provincial andterritorial governments to declare the holiday for otherworkers.

Ahead of the flurry of provincial decisions, Trudeau had saidhe would be working with provinces and territories to ensure they're "aligned."

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador also said they would observe the national day of mourning by closing schools and government offices, but all three provinces said the holiday was optional for private-sector employers.

Quebec PremierFranoisLegaulthas saidwhile the day will be commemorated, it will not be a statutory holiday in the province.

A few hours before the decision, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) urged all provinces not todeclare next Monday a statutory paid holiday following the federal government's announcement.

The CFIB urged provinces to emulatethe United Kingdom, which announced Saturday that it would mark Sept. 19 as a national bank holiday meaningthere is no statutory entitlement to time off.

"With a six-day notice, it would be deeply unfair for small businesses and cost the economy billions," said Dan Kelly, the president of the CFIB.