Monday may be a day on which many will mourn the Queen's death, but it won't be a day off for most in St. Albert.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this week that Monday, Sept. 19 will be a federal holiday to allow Canadians the opportunity to mourn Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her funeral, which will take place at Westminster Abbey at 11 a.m. BST. The Queen died on Sept. 8 at Balmoral Castle.
Federal workers will be given the day off to take part in commemorative events across the country.
The Alberta government has declared it a provincial day of mourning, not a statutory holiday, which means for most Albertans, and St. Albertans, it will be business as usual.
St. Albert provincial docket court will run as scheduled, according to a spokesperson for the Provincial Court of Alberta.
St. Albert Public Schools, in an email to families this week, said "division schools and offices will remain open on Monday as usual," and that staff would look for ways to honour the Queen.
Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools, in a post on Twitter on Thursday, said "all schools within our division will remain in operation on Monday, Sept. 19."
Cory Sinclair, spokesperson for the City of St. Albert, said in a statement that, "as part of the day of mourning, all employees are encouraged to take a moment on Monday to mark the occasion of Her late Majesty's funeral," but that it will be a "regular day of work," and city council will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, as scheduled.
The Royal Canadian Legion St. Albert Branch No. 271 will be hosting a memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Cenotaph on St. Anne Street, next to St. Albert Place, according to a statement from the legion. The service is open to the public.
The city, in a statement released Thursday evening, said St. Anne Street will be closed from Perron Street to St. Thomas Street from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday.
"Drivers are asked to follow all detour signage onsite or plan alternative routes during this time," the city said in the statement.
