Family Day - Holiday For Some, Just Another Day For Most

Family Day - Holiday For Some, Just Another Day For Most

Mike Wood
Feb 20 2012

Family Day was originally celebrated by Alberta in 1990, with the premier of Alberta at the time, Don Getty, having the third Monday of February proclaimed as Family Day. Getty is said to have come to this decision after his son was involved in a drug scandal. Getty, feeling that he hadn’t been spending enough time with his family and that the residents of Alberta should invest more time in their families as well; Family Day was born.

Following Alberta was Saskatchewan having their first Family Day in 2007 and Ontario followed suit in 2008 with provincial Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty making good on an election promise.

Manitoba created Louis Riel Day in 2008 for their February holiday to honour the Metis leader who was influential in the creation of Manitoba as a province.

Prince Edward Island celebrates Islander Day which came into effect in 2009.

Among other reasons for introducing this day by the five provinces was that there was a long period of no holidays between New Year's Day and Good Friday. It was also decided to be made on the same date as Presidents Day in the United States, allowing for easy business relations between the two countries.

The third Monday in February remains a regular working day in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and the Territories, although British Columbia is said to begin celebrating Family Day in 2013.

Penned in a collective agreement in April 1975, The Yukon celebrates Heritage Day on the last Friday of February which gives government employees and schools the day off. Businesses have the option to give their employees the day or a portion of the day off from work. The holiday normally falls on the last Friday of February to coincide with the annual Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Winter Festival.

As Family Day is not currently recognized by the federal government, federal employees in all provinces including public servants and postal workers still work on this day.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the third Monday of February is a school board holiday, but not an official provincial holiday.

The overall effect in annual days off remains unchanged for many, as Easter Monday is no longer considered a holiday by private businesses.

Some businesses have claimed the holiday has cost them as much as $140 million a year and have requested tax breaks to compensate. The Saskatchewan government alone has given $95 million in corporate tax cuts to it's province's businesses.

In Ontario the number of public holidays is nine per year. However, this holiday does not necessarily add to the number of holidays some Ontarians receive, as employers can substitute any non-statutory holidays that employees may already be receiving for Family Day. Many employers have substituted the August Civic Holiday with Family Day and although the Civic Holiday is enjoyed by millions every year, it is not public or statutory, and workers may have to choose one holiday or the other, based on their contract, union negotiations, etc.

For millions of Canadians it's just another work day but if you're one of the lucky ones who have this day off, enjoy it by doing whatever it is you love doing. Whether you're spending it with others or just having some peaceful alone time, it doesn’t matter. Just have a good day doing it.