FOG BLOG CANADA LOG: P.M. TRUDEAU DECLARES MON. SEP. 19 AS FEDERAL HOLIDAY FOR QUEEN'S FUNERAL!

Canada announces federal holiday to mark Queen's funeral on Sept. 19 Trudeau said he is talking to provinces, territories about backing move The date of Queen Elizabeth's funeral will be marked in Canada with a national holiday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.

"We have ... chosen to move forward with a federal holiday on Monday [Sept. 19]," Trudeau said in New Brunswick, where he is attending a Liberal caucus retreat.

"We will be working with the provinces and the territories to try and see that we're aligned on this. There are still a few details to be worked out, but declaring an opportunity for Canadians to mourn on Monday is going to be important."

The Prime Minister's Office said that unless the provinces come on board with the plan, only federal government employees will get that day off. About 85 to 90 per cent of workers are regulated by provincial governments.

Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business [CFIB], reacted swiftly to the news by urging provinces to reject the move.

"Given it would allow only six days notice and cost the economy billions, CFIB is urging provincial governments to not declare next Monday as a statutory (paid) holiday," he said on Twitter. "Provinces should follow the lead of the United Kingdom, rather than the Government of Canada."