Get ready to put your work tools down 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.
It’s also the date MLAs Vicki Huntington, Bob Simpson and John van Dongen say is too costly for the economy.
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 the winter.
Van Dongen says the holiday will not create a single new job. Was it supposed to?
It will cost the business community an estimated $62 million and place increased pressure on budgets, they say. Well, that’s assuming everyone stays at home.
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 entice them to shop with keen price promotions. Some of us will dine out, ordering something sumptuous, and hopefully tipping well when good service is provided.
And some outdoor-minded folk may get away from it all and head to the slopes of local hills.
But the biggest return from all of this isn’t the money we spend. 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 instead of trudging through the shortest month with a longing eye towards the first other holiday at Easter.
No, British Columbians need a break. And one with family makes sense.
— South Delta Leader
