Thanksgiving In New Brunswick: Date And History

Thanksgiving in New Brunswick, Canada, is celebrated on the second Monday of October. However, it is not a statutory holiday in the province, unlike in other parts of the country. While some businesses may close for the day, employers are not required to give their staff the day off. Many people in New Brunswick instead celebrate on the Sunday before, gathering with loved ones and preparing a Thanksgiving meal, which often includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

New Brunswick Thanksgiving is on the second Monday in October

Thanksgiving in New Brunswick falls on the second Monday in October. In 2024, this means the date for Thanksgiving is October 14th. This is a statutory holiday, except in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. In these two places, Thanksgiving is a Designated Retail Closing Day, meaning some retail businesses must be closed, but it is not a paid holiday.

Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on a different date than American Thanksgiving. In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The difference in dates is due to the fact that the harvest season starts earlier in Canada than in the US. Canadian Thanksgiving also commemorates a different historical event. In Canada, Thanksgiving celebrates the voyage of English explorer Martin Frobisher in 1578, while in the US, the holiday remembers the Native Americans who helped pilgrims get food in Massachusetts in 1621.

The tradition of Thanksgiving in Canada dates back to Martin Frobisher's arrival in the country on his third voyage. He held a formal ceremony to give thanks for surviving the journey, during which one of his ships had been lost. Frobisher celebrated with salt beef and peas. This was 43 years before the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving meal in the US. Initially, Thanksgiving in Canada was celebrated on November 6th every year, but in 1908, it was changed to a Monday so that railway workers could enjoy a long weekend.

Today, Thanksgiving in New Brunswick and across Canada is a time for gathering with loved ones and preparing a special meal. Traditional dishes include turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, with regional variations such as Jiggs' dinner and butter tarts. Government offices, local amenities, and banks are usually closed, and public transport runs on a reduced schedule.

It is not a public holiday in New Brunswick

Thanksgiving in New Brunswick is observed on the second Monday of October. However, it is not a public holiday in the province, unlike in most other Canadian provinces and territories. This means that government offices remain open, and employers are not required to give their employees the day off or pay them for the day. As such, many families in New Brunswick celebrate Thanksgiving on the Sunday before instead.

Although Thanksgiving is not a public holiday in New Brunswick, it is still considered a "prescribed day of rest" under the Days of Rest Act. This means that businesses are required to be closed on this day, with some exceptions for certain retail businesses.

The other "prescribed days of rest" in New Brunswick include the weekly day of rest (Sunday) and eight paid public holidays: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, New Brunswick Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day, and Christmas Day. There are also three additional prescribed days of rest that are not paid public holidays under the Employment Standards Act (ESA): Victoria Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Boxing Day.

The distinction between a "public holiday" and a "prescribed day of rest" in New Brunswick is important for employers to understand, as it affects their obligations towards their employees. For example, employees who work on a paid public holiday must receive their regular day's pay plus 1.5 times their regular wage rate for the hours worked. On the other hand, if a business violates the Days of Rest Act by operating on a prescribed day of rest, they may be subject to fines.

Thanksgiving is a day of rest when businesses must close

In New Brunswick, Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October. While it is a statutory holiday in most provinces, it is not a public holiday in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. However, it is a designated day of rest when businesses must be closed.

The Days of Rest Act in New Brunswick identifies specific days during the year when businesses are required to close. These include the weekly day of rest, which is Sunday, and eleven prescribed days of rest. Thanksgiving Day is one of these prescribed days of rest, along with New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, New Brunswick Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

On Thanksgiving, businesses across New Brunswick must close their doors. This mandatory day of rest allows employees to take a break from their regular work schedule and spend time with loved ones. While it is not a paid public holiday in the province, employers can choose to provide their employees with a day off while still paying their regular wages.

As a day of rest, Thanksgiving in New Brunswick takes on a more relaxed atmosphere. Most government offices, local amenities, and banks will be closed, and public transportation may operate on a reduced schedule. With businesses closed, residents of New Brunswick can focus on spending time with family and friends, preparing a special Thanksgiving meal, and giving thanks for the year's blessings and harvest.

While businesses are required to close on Thanksgiving, there may be some exemptions for specific industries or retail businesses. It is important for employers to be aware of the rules and regulations regarding days of rest and statutory holidays to ensure compliance and avoid any potential fines. Overall, Thanksgiving in New Brunswick is a day for rest, celebration, and gratitude.

Thanksgiving is not a paid holiday for all employees

In New Brunswick, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October. While it is a government and regional holiday, it is not a statutory holiday, unlike in the rest of Canada. This means that employers are not required to pay their employees for the day off, and families often choose to celebrate on the Sunday before instead.

In the United States, Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, but federal law does not require private companies to offer holiday pay. State laws also do not require private employers to give their employees time off or extra pay for Thanksgiving. However, federal and state laws do guarantee time off or extra pay to government or public sector employees.

There are a few exceptions to this. In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, for example, employers must pay non-exempt employees a premium rate for working on holidays. In addition, if an employee has a work agreement that includes holiday pay, the employer must honour that agreement.

It is worth noting that while holiday pay is not legally required in most states, many private companies choose to provide it as it can reduce employee turnover and boost morale. As such, private employees in the US receive an average of 7.6 paid holidays per year, with 75% of all private employees having access to paid holidays.

Families often celebrate on the Sunday before Thanksgiving

In New Brunswick, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October. However, it is not a public holiday in this region, which means employers are not required to give their employees the day off. As a result, many families in New Brunswick choose to celebrate Thanksgiving on the Sunday before the official date.

Thanksgiving in Canada has its roots in the voyage of English explorer Martin Frobisher, who arrived in the country in 1578 and held a ceremony to give thanks for surviving his journey. Frobisher's feast included salt beef and peas, which is a far cry from the turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce that are now staples of the Thanksgiving meal.

While Canadian Thanksgiving is not a public holiday in New Brunswick, it is still recognised as a statutory holiday. This means that some businesses and government offices will be closed, and public transport may run on a reduced schedule.

For families who choose to celebrate on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this allows them to gather and prepare a special meal without having to worry about work or school the next day. It also gives them an opportunity to carry on traditions and spend quality time with loved ones.

In addition to the traditional foods mentioned above, there are often regional variations on the Thanksgiving meal. For example, in Newfoundland, it is common to serve Jiggs' dinner, a boiled meat dish with split-pea pudding. In Ontario, butter tarts, which are bite-sized pastry shells filled with a syrupy filling, are a popular alternative to pumpkin pie.

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