2012 & 2013 Public Holidays in BC

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2012 & 2013 Public Holidays in BC

2012 & 2013 Public Holidays in Canada & other Special Days in British Columbia

Generally banks, municipal libraries, schools and some businesses will be closed on public holidays, however most entertainment venues, shops, grocery stores and tourist attractions remain open. Special events may also be held on these days in celebration or commemoration of the occasion.

	2012	2013
New Year’s Day	January 1	January 1
BC Family Day		February 11
Good Friday	April 6	March 29
Easter Monday*	April 9	April 1
Victoria Day	May 21	May 20
Canada Day	July 1	July 1
British Columbia Day	August 6	August 5
Labour Day (1st Mon. of Sept.)	September 3	September 2
Thanksgiving Day (2nd Mon. of Oct.)	October 8	October 14
Remembrance Day	November 11	November 11
Christmas Day	December 25	December 25
Boxing Day*	December 26	December 26

*While listed in various guides as public holidays, Easter Monday (Monday following Good Friday) and Boxing Day (day following Christmas Day) are not recognized as statutory holidays in British Columbia (BC). However, public sector employees and many private companies do give their employees Boxing Day as a day off work as a goodwill gesture. Good Friday and Christmas Day are official religious public holidays.

When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the legal holiday usually observed falls on the Monday following.

About Victoria Day
Held the Monday preceding May 25 each year, the Sovereign’s birthday has been observed in Canada since Queen Victoria’s (1837-1901) reign in honour of both Queen Victoria and the current sovereign’s birthday. Canada remains a voluntary member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

About Canada Day
Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of July 1 1867 enactment uniting Canada as a single country known as the Canadian Confederation. Many events are observed throughout Canada with no shortage of fun things to see and do to cap the day off in celebration of the ‘birth’ of Canada. In Vancouver, street festivals, parades and sporting events are held in many communities including Granville Island, Yaletown, Surrey, and in Canada Place. The Canadian flag is proudly sported publically from homes, businesses and communities alike.

About British Columbia Day
Introduced in 1974 to honour the pioneers of BC and in celebration of achievements as Canadians in this province, many people have a day off work. This popular long weekend is often used to go camping or taking short trips out of town to enjoy the beauty of BC in summer. Various celebrations are held province-wide with events including fireworks, parades and cultural festivals.