CHARLOTTE TOWN – Small businesses in Prince Edward Island said it was confirmed they would be allowed to remain open on Monday, even though the provincial government has declared a public holiday to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Michelle Waseline, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Retail Council, said businesses must follow regional overtime rules if employees are on holiday.

She maintains that her association has asked regional governments not to force merchants, in such a short time, to close on Monday, due to the “significant” costs to employers.

Canada’s smallest province is the only one to have declared Monday a “holiday,” after Ottawa announced on Tuesday that it would be a holiday for all federal government employees.

Ms Waseline also notes that a number of companies have just resumed activities after two years of disruption caused by the pandemic.

Also, remember that it is up to each trader to decide whether or not they want to open their doors on Monday.

Dan Kelly, chief executive of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, argued Tuesday that if provincial governments follow in Ottawa’s lead, “many small businesses, such as restaurants, hotels and movie theaters, will have to pay extra to stay open” on Monday.