Statutory Holiday – Closed
May 18 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wishing all a joyful and safe Victoria Day long weekend as we celebrate the unofficial start of summer with family and friends.
The United Church of Canada observes the Victoria Day statutory holiday established in 1901 to honor Queen Victoria, considered the “Mother of Confederation”. The Church follows the national calendar recognizing this day to celebrate Canada’s historical roots and the reigning monarch’s official birthday.
Key Reasons for Observation:
- Honouring Confederation: Queen Victoria reigned during Canadian Confederation in 1867 and selected Ottawa as the national capital.
- Monarch’s Birthday: It serves as the official celebration of the sovereign’s birthday in Canada, a tradition continuing since 1845.
- National Statutory Holiday: As a legal holiday across Canada, it is standard for institutions, including faith-based organizations, to observe the day.
- Cultural Tradition: It marks the unofficial start of summer in Canada, functioning as a cultural holiday more than a religious one.