When is Family Day?
A provincial statutory holiday observed on the third Monday in February in most provinces. About two-thirds of all Canadians will have the day off on Family Day.
Observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities.
A modern holiday that is growing in popularity across Canada. Its timing is said to have been selected to coincide with the American holiday of Presidents Day.
As the holiday is a provincial holiday, federal employees may not have the day off. The post will be operating and banks and restaurants are allowed to open. Some businesses may stay closed as opening on a holiday means they have to pay employees extra to work on a holiday.
Family Day in Alberta
Alberta was the first province to introduce the statutory holiday in 1990 under the Premier at the time, Don Getty.
The establishment of the day created some controversy. Some people believed that the day was established as a response to a cocaine possession scandal one of the former Premier’s sons was involved in at the time. According to an archive, “Premier Getty was obviously embarrassed by the revelation and admitted publicly that he had neglected his family, saying that it was important for all Albertans to take more care with their families also.”
Family Day in British Columbia
Family Day was established in BC in 2013. According to the BC Recreation and Parks Association, it was introduced to “recognize the great contributions that families make to our lives, our communities and our province.”
Since 2013, Family Day was celebrated on the second Monday in February in British Columbia. In 2018, The B.C. government announced on February, that starting in 2019, Family will be held be on the third Monday of February, bringing it in line with other provinces in Canada.
Family Day in Ontario
In Ontario, Family Day isn’t recognised as a holiday by the federal government, therefore federal civil servants do not have the day off. However many stores, city services and attractions in the national capital region will be either closed or operating on reduced schedules.
Family Day in New Brunswick
Announced in April 2017, New Brunswick will observe Family Day on the third Monday in February from 2018 onwards. This brought New Brunswick up to the national average of eight paid public holidays a year.
Schools, libraries, provincial government offices, and all administrative offices will be closed today. Many stores and services will also close and public transport will be affected.
Islander Day in PEI
Introduced in 2009, this holiday was held on the second Monday of February in 2009, it was switched to the third Monday of February since 2010 after complaints from traders that it placed Prince Edward Island out of sync with the other provincial holidays on that date and also with Presidents Day in the USA.
All provincial and municipal government offices and schools will be closed. Some bars and restaurants will be closed. Most federal government offices will remain open and there will be a postal service.
Louis Riel Day
Legislation proclaiming the third Monday in February as Louis Riel Day was passed by Manitoba's Legislative Assembly in 2007, and first celebrated on February 18th 2008. Louis Riel Day is a name that was suggested by Manitoba school students, in honour of Louis Riel, the Métis leader regarded as the Father of Manitoba.
Nova Scotia Heritage Day
Introduced in 2015, each year this holiday will honour a different person or event, chosen by Nova Scotian school children. The first subject was Viola Desmond. Other days will recognize Mi'kmaq heritage, Africville, Joseph Howe, Edward Francis Arab, Nora Bernard, Carrie Best, J. Willie Comeau, Grand-Pré National Historic Site, William Hall, Rita Joe, Maud Lewis, and Mona Louise Parsons.
Other Provinces
The third Monday in February is a regular working day in Quebec and the territories. Quebec doesn’t observe Family Day as a stat holiday because it celebrates Journée nationale des Patriotes the Monday before May 23rd, as well as its Fête nationale du Québec every June 24th.
Family Day was first observed as a provincial holiday in Saskatchewan in 2007.
It was introduced by Lorne Calvert, a former Premier of Saskatchewan. Speaking about the holiday Calvert said: "So the first Family Day was in 2007, I sensed we had this long gap between January 1st and Good Friday and Easter can be late. In those days our economy was really strong, things were going well and that's the time you want to introduce a new public holiday. I also wanted to recognize the role of family, in our province, and in our lives."
