In October 2011, the BC Government announced the creation of a new provincial statutory holiday – Family Day.
Taking effect in February 2013, the government is allowing the public input on which date the holiday will fall within the calendar. This is a rare opportunity for the public to make an impact on the decision. The public has until May 22nd to submit their thoughts and concerns on the timing of the holiday.
Many in the Tourism industry, like myself, are suggesting the best date would be the second Monday of February, rather thon an the proposed third week. While the third week would coincide with many other provinces holidays as well as the President’s Day weekend in the USA, from an economic and service point of view the second week works better. The third weekend is already a very busy weekend, especially for the province’s ski resorts and major cities. Adding a domestic holiday would create another huge crush of visitors to resorts and attractions on an already very busy weekend this would create longer waits and a poor guest experience. Spreading Family Day to the weekend prior would bring the economic benefit to another weekend in the otherwise dull February doldrums while also allowing the resorts to make the visitor experience significantly more pleasant.
If you have not already done so, submit your feedback, support this important initiative.
Comments can be made here: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcfamilyday/ or on Facebook or Twitter using: #mybcfd
In addition, you can email and/ or telephone your local MLA, the Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and
Open Government and the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.
Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government
Margaret MacDiarmid
margaret.macdiarmid.mla@leg.bc.ca
250-952-7623
Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
Pat Bell
pat.bell.mla@leg.bc.ca
250-356-2771