There are nine statutory holidays in British Columbia, only three of which occur during the first six months of the year.
It is a bleak fact the coldest, darkest and, for many, loneliest months of the year are afforded the fewest holidays.
This is why Christy Clark is banking on her Family Day idea brightening minds – and, perhaps, her chances at becoming the province’s next premier.
The B.C. Liberal leadership candidate has proposed B.C. follow in the footsteps (which are propped up, of course) of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island and add a statutory holiday in late February.
It would be a welcome break in the vast monotony of winter that stretches from New Year’s Day (Jan. 1 ) to Good Friday (this year on April 22).
That’s almost four months without a non-weekend break.
Yet, British Columbians enjoy a holiday per month from Canada Day (July 1) to Christmas (Dec. 25).
Packing days off in the months of good weather makes sense (Victoria Day in May, Canada Day in July, B.C. Day in August and Labour Day in September).
But, is there really a need for three more statutory holidays in the colder months that follow, at the expense of the annual expanse of blah that follows New Year’s Day?
Clark’s proposal has businesses concerned about the costs incurred in increased wages, lost revenue and decreased production.
They are fair concerns, which is why Alberta did not increase the number of stat holidays when in 1990 it introduced Family Day on the third Monday of each February.
To address business concerns, Alberta eliminated the Heritage Day stat holiday in August when creating Family Day.
B.C. can do the same — adding a much-needed holiday in February to help bridge this most barren of seasons, while scratching a stat from the holiday-rich back end of the calendar.
We suggest Victoria hold onto the summer vacation days as Lotuslanders love their lakes and cabins.
Instead, Thanksgiving can be sacrificed, as is done with turkeys each year.
Surely, workers in B.C. would choose a February break over an October reprieve.
–Autumn MacDonald, Observer
