Celebrating Family Day in Canada: History, Traditions, and Activities

 Family Day is a rather new addition to the list of holidays in Canada. Essentially, it is a family awareness day. It falls on the third Monday of February each year. In 1990, Alberta was the first Canadian province to celebrate Family Day. Gradually, other provinces also adopted the holiday. 

On Family Day, about two-thirds of Canadians have a day off. The holiday acknowledges the significance of family life and families in an individual’s and community’s well-being. There will be various family-related festivals and special programs across the provinces. In 2024, Family Day falls on February 19. 

Origin and Significance of Family Day 

Naturally, Family Day is about spending quality time with your family. The day is not just about a leisurely holiday from school and work. Family Day brings to our awareness the importance of having a family and the support system it offers.  

Origin

Family Day was introduced with the passing of the Family Day Act in 1990. The former Albertan Premier, Don Getty, was the first to propose Family Day. He saw the collapse of family values and family life. Around that time, his son was arrested for drug possession and trafficking. However, Don Getty himself said that the two events are not connected.

On this day, Getty hoped to strengthen families. He wanted to bring the focus back to family life. The day was meant to honor the values of family and home. These values were of great significance to the pioneers who established Alberta.

Thus, Helen Hunley, Alberta’s lieutenant governor, passed the Family Day Act in 1990 on the advice of her premier, Don Getty. The third Monday of February was established as Family Day. It is presumed that the timing of Family Day was chosen to fall on the same day as American President’s Day. Since celebrating on the same day would not affect trade with the United States.

Don Getty faced a lot of criticism regarding Family Day. Many employers shared the opinion that an additional statutory holiday could prove to be a financial burden. Eventually, Heritage Day was made into a civic holiday. Employers were not obligated to consider it as a paid holiday.

Significance

Since Family Day falls on Monday, it gives workers more time to be with their families. Earlier there was no statutory holiday between New Year’s Day and Good Friday. Good Friday can come as late as April. Thus, for approximately three months, there was no long weekend. Family Day shortens the gap between two statutory holidays and also provides a long weekend.

Family Days in Other Parts of the World

There are holidays in different parts of the world to celebrate family. In the Australian Capital Territory, November’s first Tuesday is Family and Community Day. In Israel, the 30th of the Hebrew month of Shevat is marked as Family Day.

Is Canada Family Day a Statutory Holiday?

Statutory Holiday is a designated holiday for all employees with pay. A national statutory holiday is observed all across Canada. However, a provincial statutory holiday is only observed in specific provinces. 

In Canada, there are five national statutory holidays. New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day are celebrated all across. If an employee works on a statutory holiday, they get 1.5 their regular pay for that day.

Family Day in Different Provinces

Since not all provinces in Canada recognize Family Day as a holiday. It is not a national statutory holiday. After its establishment in 1990 in Alberta, Family Day was adopted by other provinces over the next two decades.

Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick recognize Family Day as a statutory holiday. Most employees will have a day off with pay in these provinces. 

Alberta and Saskatchewan

Alberta and Saskatchewan

Family Day was first adopted in 1990 by the province of Alberta. Saskatchewan established it in 2007. Until then, Alberta was the only province to have a statutory holiday in February.

British Columbia

In British Columbia, Family Day has been observed on the second Monday in February since 2013. However, in 2018, it was switched to the third Monday by the British Columbia government. Thus, since 2019, Family Day has been celebrated on the third Monday to harmonize with other Canadian provinces.

Ontario

The provincial government officially established Family Day on October 12, 2007, to be celebrated in February. Family Day was first celebrated on February 18, 2008. Since the federal government does not recognize it, federal employees don’t have a day off. The stores, attractions, and city services are closed or open for a few hours. 

New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, Family Day was established in April 2017. It was decided to be observed on the third Monday of February, starting in 2018. Provincial government offices, schools, and libraries are closed on this day. Most stores and services remain closed. Public transport services may run on a regular or limited schedule. 

Other Holidays on Family Day in Canada

Additionally, three other provinces have statutory holidays on the same day, but they celebrate different occasions. These provinces are Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba. The third Monday of February is celebrated for reasons that the respective province finds significant.

Islander Day, Prince Edward Island

Islander Day was introduced on the second Monday of February in 2009. In 2010, it was changed to the third Monday of February. This was done after receiving complaints from traders. Holidays on different Mondays meant Prince Edward Island was out of sync with other Canadian provinces and America’s President’s Day.

The postal service remains operational. Almost all federal government offices are open. However, schools and municipal and provincial government offices are closed. 

Louis Riel Day, Manitoba 

In 2007, Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly proclaimed the third Monday of February as Louis Riel Day. On February 18, 2008, Louis Riel Day was celebrated for the first time. The name of the day was a suggestion by school students in Manitoba. The day honors the Mètis leader,  Louis Riel, regarded as the father of Manitoba.

Nova Scotia Heritage Day

Nova Scotia Heritage Day was introduced in the year 2015. The holiday is celebrated by honoring a different person or event each year. Schoolchildren in Nova Scotia choose the subject of honor. The first-ever celebration was made in honor of Viola Desmond. Viola Desmond was a Canadian civil rights activist.

Other Provinces

Quebec and the territories don’t observe Family Day. It is a regular working day. However, they celebrate Journee Nationale des Patriotes on the Monday before May 25. They also celebrate Fete Nationale du Quebec on June 24.

Since Family Day is only a provincial holiday, only non-federal employees get a holiday in some parts of Canada. Federal employees should check the latest official holiday list for their respective provinces to avoid any confusion. 

Post offices will be operational on the day. Restaurants and banks are allowed to open. However, some businesses stay closed. Opening on holiday means paying extra to the employees. 

The governments of the rest of the provinces that do not have a holiday in February are facing pressure. Although Family Day is not a national statutory holiday yet, it holds the potential to become one in the future.

How to celebrate Family Day?

Being a new holiday, there aren’t many traditions attached to Family Day. Still, there are various things to do if you have the day off. 

Fundamentally, you should focus on having a good time with all your family members. It is a designated day to improve and strengthen family bonds. You can even stay home and spend quality time with your family.

Activities and Events

If you live in one of the provinces that recognizes Family Day as a statutory holiday, you can find plenty of free community events and places to visit. The British Columbia government makes sure that Family Day events are available to everyone. For the entire weekend, there are many free in-person as well as virtual activities across the province. 

You can visit the BC Recreation and Parks Association’s website. They have a list of activities for the entire province that may offer free entry. You can also visit the Royal British Columbia Museum or be part of events online. In Edmonton, Alberta, there are many Family Day activities, education, and entertainment events.

Family Day falls in the wintry month of February. Commonly, people enjoy the day by doing winter activities. Skating, snowboarding, and playing hockey are some of the popular things to do. Enjoying tasty treats, pancakes, and beaver tails with your family can make your day sweet.

Traditions

You can make Family Day your own by creating a new family tradition. Play a board game together with your family members. If you have an elder at home, sit with them and listen to their stories and life experiences. Bake fresh cookies and make hot chocolate to drink on the side. Make a tradition of going on a road trip or a long drive.

Watch movies together, take part in handmade and craft activities, or go visit art exhibitions or museums. You may find that art galleries and museums have a reduced entry fee or are completely free on this day. 

Make a tradition of turning the long weekend of Family Day into a short winter break. Travel to see a nearby landmark or resort. Visit family and friends. Try to explore and learn about your family's history and heritage.

A Generous Reminder

Family Day is a great opportunity, especially if you don’t get much time to spend with your family. It is important to stay connected with your family members. It is about setting aside some time to do fun activities that strengthen your relationships. Family Day is about making new lifelong memories together. 

Although Family Day is only one day of the year, it reminds you of the value of your family. It inspires you to be inclusive and enhance your ties with all members of your family.

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