OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says September 19 will be a federal holiday to mourn Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral in London.

Speaking at a caucus retreat in New Brunswick today, Trudeau says ”declaring an opportunity for Canadians to mourn on Monday is going to be important.”

He says the government will be working with provinces and territories to ensure they’re ”aligned.”

Monday will be a holiday for federal employees and those in federally regulated industries, but it will be up to provincial and territorial governments to declare the holiday for remaining workers.

Meanwhile the group representing small businesses is asking provinces not to declare a statutory holiday.

Canadian Federation of Independent Business President, Dan Kelly, says in a statement with a six-day notice, it would be ”deeply unfair” for small businesses and cost the economy billions.

Instead Kelly says the provinces should follow the Untied Kingdom and leave Monday as a commemorative holiday with no requirement for businesses to close or pay in lieu.

(The Canadian Press, Canadian Federation of Independent Business)