It’s official.
Get ready to put your work tools down – be they a hammer, pen, or serving tray – and spend more time with your kin next February as the B.C. government announced the latest statutory holiday, Family Day, is scheduled for the second week of the month.
In this case, Feb. 11 is the date.
It’s also the date Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington, fellow independent MLA Bob Simpson, and newly minted B.C. Tory John van Dongen say is too costly for the economy to bear.
They believe the government is wrong to offer the people something plenty of other parts of the country already enjoy – a much-needed break in a dreary and dark winter month.
Van Dongen says the holiday will not create a single new job.
Was it supposed to?
It will cost the business community in B.C. an estimated $62 million and place increased pressure on budgets – especially those running a small business they say. Well, that’s assuming everyone enjoying the break stays at home and asks meekly for another lump of coal for the fire.
But what do many of us do over a long weekend? Those keen on hitting the malls will do just that – and plenty of retail operations will likely be more than willing to entice them to shop with some keen price promotions.
Some of us will dine out, and some outdoor-minded folk may head to the slopes of local ski hills. All of that will add up to some economic activity.
But the biggest return from all of this isn’t the money we spend on food, entertainment, consumer goods, or outdoor recreation. It’s the theme of the holiday that should pay dividends here.
It will provide families stressed by the hectic pace of school, work and other activities the opportunity to spend some quality time with each other.
British Columbians need a break, and one with family makes sense.
– Black Press
