Remembrance Day Reminder For Employers

Nova Scotia business owners should check to see if they must close on Thursday, Nov. 11, in observance of the Remembrance Day Act.

"Our generation feels a deep sense of gratitude to the men and women who served their country," said Michael Baker, Minister of Justice. "November 11 is an opportunity for all Nova Scotians to honour their sacrifices."

The Remembrance Day Act prohibits the sale of goods or real property in most industries on Nov. 11. Exceptions include: hospitals; licensed day care facilities; stand-alone drug stores; service stations; public transportation; police, fire and correctional facilities; emergency repair businesses; the hospitality industry; shops or stores that can operate with three or fewer staff; religious services; broadcasting and newspaper publishers.

Industries not covered by the legislation include farming, fishing and aquaculture, Christmas tree operations, the forest industry, and industrial operations as defined in the Labour Standards Code. Information on the Remembrance Day holiday is available on the labour standards website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/labstand/ .

The complete list of exemptions is in the act, which is available online at www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/. Follow the links to consolidated public statutes and click on 'R' for Remembrance Day Act.

Employees who work for businesses that are not exempt from the act, who are required to work on Remembrance Day, and who were entitled to receive wages for at least 15 days during the 30 calendar days before Nov. 11, are entitled to a holiday with pay. That holiday can be taken on the next working day after the employee's annual vacation, or another day agreed upon by the employer and employee.

The maximum penalty for violating the act is $1,000 for an individual, and up to $15,000 for an employer.