in
Geography & Places
—
The August Long Weekend: Canada's Confusing Holiday With an Identity Crisis
Canada's first Monday in August is a holiday for most, but its name varies wildly by province and even city. Known as BC Day, Heritage Day, or Simcoe Day, this confusing day off is a uniquely Canadian quirk reflecting a diverse mosaic of local histories and heroes.
For many Canadians, the first Monday in August is a cherished summer tradition. It’s a long weekend that signals the peak of summer—a time for cottages, barbecues, and a final deep breath before the inevitable slide into autumn. But if you ask a Canadian what this holiday is called, you might get a puzzled look, a shrug, or a surprisingly specific local history lesson. That's because this nationwide day off is a holiday with a national identity crisis.
A Holiday of Many Names
Unlike Canada Day or Labour Day, which have consistent names and meanings across the country, the August holiday is a patchwork of provincial and territorial designations. For many, it's simply known as the 'Civic Holiday', a generic name that hints at its municipal roots. But travel across the country, and the names change entirely.
- In British Columbia, it's proudly called British Columbia Day.
- In Saskatchewan, it's Saskatchewan Day.
- Alberta celebrates it as Heritage Day, honoring the province's diverse cultural roots.
- Manitoba commemorates Terry Fox Day, in honor of the iconic Canadian hero.
- New Brunswick marks New Brunswick Day.
Meanwhile, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon don't observe it at all, adding another layer of confusion for anyone trying to coordinate a cross-country call.
Going Hyper-Local: A Celebration of Community
The naming chaos reaches its peak in Ontario. While the province officially recognizes the day, it's not a statutory holiday, and municipalities are free to name it as they see fit. This has resulted in a fascinating mosaic of local tributes. In Toronto, the day is known as Simcoe Day, honoring John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada and an early abolitionist. Just a few hours east, Ottawa celebrates Colonel By Day, named after Lieutenant-Colonel John By, the engineer who masterminded the construction of the Rideau Canal. The list goes on: Burlington has Joseph Brant Day, Guelph has John Galt Day, and many other cities simply call it the Civic Holiday.
Why So Complicated?
The origin of the holiday is practical rather than patriotic. It was established to fill the long, holiday-less gap between Dominion Day (now Canada Day) on July 1st and Labour Day in early September. Its 'civic' designation was intentional, empowering municipalities to celebrate their own unique histories and founders. This decentralized approach is, in itself, deeply Canadian—a reflection of a country that often prioritizes regional identity over a single national narrative.
As many Canadians on social media forums will tell you, the confusion is part of the charm.
Honestly, unless you live in the specific city that names it, everyone just calls it 'the August long weekend'. It's our most confusing, and maybe most Canadian, holiday.
Ultimately, whether you call it BC Day, Simcoe Day, or just 'the long weekend in August', this holiday is a perfect metaphor for Canada itself: a collection of distinct communities celebrating their local heritage under one, very large, and slightly confusing umbrella. It’s a day off that reminds us that in Canada, 'local' matters just as much as 'national'.