Canada is maintaining a historic tradition of making the funeral of a monarch a national holiday.

Today in New Brunswick, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that federal employees will have a day of mourning when Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest on Monday (September 19).

He said that the federal government will be working with the provinces and the territories to ensure that they'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," Trudeau said. "So, for our part, we will be letting federal employees know that Monday will be a day of mourning where they will not work."

The federal government has jurisdiction over federal employees and workers in federally regulated industries. 

All other workers are regulated by provincial labour codes.

The Queen's state funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey, followed by a committal at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. That's where her parents, husband, and only sister have been laid to rest.

One reporter asked Trudeau for his views about the future of the monarchy in Canada in the wake of the Queen's death.

"My own perspective is that Canadians are almost entirely preoccupied with the big issues we're facing—whether it's rising in the cost of living, global inflation, war in Ukraine, challenges around positioning our economy and our jobs to succeed in a carbon neutral world and a world in which we're fighting climate change," Trudeau replied.

"These are the things that Canadians are talking to me about: community safety, opportunity for their kids, good jobs into the future," he continued. "That's the focus that we will continue to have as a government."

Update

After the prime minister's announcement, Premier John Horgan said that K-12 schools, public postsecondary institutions, and most Crown corporations will be closed on Monday.

"We encourage private-sector employers to find a way to recognize or reflect on the day in a way that is appropriate for their employees," Horgan said in a statement.

“This will be a national day to reflect on the incredible life of Canada’s Queen and the longest-serving monarch in British history.”