FAMILY DAY: CANADA

Family Day’s Origins

Family Day got its start in Alberta when Helen Hunley — the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta — passed the Family Day Act in 1990. This officially established the third Monday of every February as Alberta Family Day. Other Provinces adopted the holiday over the next two decades. Saskatchewan founded “Family Days” in 2007, and Ontario followed suit in 2008 and British Columbia in 2013. British Columbia is the only Province that celebrates the event on the second Monday of the month instead of the third.

New Brunswick and Manitoba have similar events — Islander Day on Prince Edward Island and Louis Riel Day in Manitoba — and Yukon and Nova Scotia both have a respective Heritage Day. All of these celebrations are held on the third Monday of February. Though the remaining Provinces don’t celebrate the event, it’s widely acknowledged in Canada and could become a public holiday in the future.

TO ALL MY PRECIOUS FRIENDS IN CANADA, HAPPY FAMILY DAY, ENJOY YOUR DEAUTIFUL DAY.!

Though some parts of Canada only give non-federal employees the day off, government workers in a few Provinces are entitled to take the day to spend with their families. Per the Employment Standards Act, for example, qualifying Ontarians can enjoy a minimum of nine public holidays with public holiday pay per year.

Events and Things to Do in Your Province

If you’re privileged to have the day off and your children don’t have to go to school, this holiday is a wonderful opportunity to explore your community’s fun activities.

British Columbia

Alberta

Manitoba

Ontario

Take advantage of this wonderful time of year to reinforce your family bonds. With so many free community events and spots to visit, you should have no trouble filling out your Family Day itinerary (TNDL)