The Civic Holiday in Canada is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in August. It is not a federally mandated holiday but is observed across many provinces and municipalities with different names. For example:
- It is officially called "Civic Holiday" in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
- Known as British Columbia Day in British Columbia.
- New Brunswick Day in New Brunswick.
- Saskatchewan Day in Saskatchewan.
- Heritage Day in Alberta.
- Natal Day in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
- Terry Fox Day in Manitoba.
- Simcoe Day in Toronto, Ontario.
- Colonel By Day in Ottawa, Ontario.
The holiday provides a summer long weekend for Canadians to relax and honor local history, culture, and community spirit. Despite its many names and local variations, it typically involves outdoor activities like picnics, festivals, music, and community events. It is commonly observed by governments, financial institutions, and many businesses, though not always a statutory holiday depending on the region. The word "civic" refers to municipalities, as the holiday is not legislatively mandated across Canada by the federal government and often has a different name based on the local area. The Civic Holiday has origins dating back to the mid-1800s and is a mid-summer holiday celebrating local heritage and community.
