The Government of Nunavut has expanded who can celebrate Nunavut Day as a holiday.
As of this year, all industries regulated by the territory are able to take Nunavut Day as a day off work. That means this year's July 9 holiday will include employees in grocery stories, construction and other Nunavut-owned businesses.
Previously, the holiday was only applicable to government employees under the Public Service Act.
However, those working directly for the Government of Canada and in other federally-regulated industries such as banks, airlines and Canada Post are still not eligible to observe Nunavut Day as a holiday.
July 9 was chosen to mark Nunavut Day because that's when the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act came into force in 1999.
