La Familia

Family Day is NOT celebrated right across the country, but it should be. There are only 4 provinces in fact that take the day off (Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba jumped onboard Alberta's third Monday off in February bandwagon, as the Texas of the North has been celebrating this day off since 1990).

While only in it's second run thru I've had problems with the name "Family Day", I keep referring back to "Love Day", not surprising at all that it's a reference from The Simpson's. Love Day is a holiday made up by a local department store named "Costington's" on the show to help boost profits in the early summer months when there is no holidays that rakes in the cash. In Manitoba they decided to name this February holiday "Louis Riel Day" in honour of the historic Metis figure and founder of their province, and I wish Ontario would follow suit and do the same. Pick anything real: John A. MacDonald Day, William Lyon Mackenzie Day, Wayne Gretzky Day - anything! (personally I'd go with Gretzky Day, but that's just me). Anyways that's just a personal beef, nothing significant though, I can live with the name just wish it carried more meaning to it rather than "here, have a day off!", that's just a bit too British for me (those Brits and their ever-so original "Bank Holidays").

The reason I feel that every province should have the day off is simple - with Ontario down, the TSX closed and with the majority of business also M.I.A. the day becomes a LOT slower. And this is before touching upon the closure of Alberta as well for that same day. But to further compound the slow business day the United States is closed border to border with Presidents' Day so really, how much business will B.C., Quebec, the Maritimes and the Territories generate? Federal employees also have to head into work but that doesn't garner a lot of business, and is borderline mean really when you consider how many others have the day off. As of last year this basically became a lost day for our country and I feel it's only appropriate that the rest of the nation not already enjoying a wintry long weekend should come aboard.

It was an enjoyable long weekend and I feel it's one that all should celebrate, so hopefully next year this becomes a nationwide Stat holiday so that everyone can enjoy it - the rest of Canada and federal employees within the already celebrating areas. It only makes sense!

Family Day marks its second year (680News)
Four Provinces enjoy a day off - not B.C. (News1130)