Premier Ball Announces Changes Related to ‘Discovery Day’ Holiday

Premier Dwight Ball said today that there are areas of Newfoundland and Labrador where the June 24 holiday has been recognized as ‘Discovery Day’ and celebrated as a public holiday as early as 1939.

And while Discovery Day is no longer a statutory holiday in the province, it is recognized in collective agreements similar to St. Patrick’s Day, St. George’s Day, and Orangemen’s Day.

Discovery Day originated from the Christian Holiday, St. John the Baptist Day. It is believed that John Cabot made landfall in Newfoundland on John the Baptist Day, and later, the day was celebrated as St. John’s Day.

In 1963, the Hours of Work Act provided that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council could proclaim Discovery Day as an observed holiday.

In 1992, the Shops’ Closing Act was amended to reduce the number of holidays and Discovery Day was no longer recognized as a Shops’ Closing holiday.

In 1996, a proclamation was issued in accordance with the Labour Standards Act to establish a public holiday on June 24, 1997 in recognition of the 500th anniversary of Cabot’s landing.

Today, the Provincial Government has determined that it is not appropriate to refer to the June 24 holiday as ‘Discovery Day.’ Before a new name can be established, consultations must take place with Indigenous governments and organizations in the spirit of reconciliation regarding this holiday.

Until consultations with the Indigenous governments and organizations are concluded, going forward the June 24 holiday be temporarily recognized as the June Holiday.