BC’s Family Day will be moved to the third week of February beginning in 2019.
Quesnel City Councillor Ron Paull calls it good news.
“It actually took 2 years to get it through,” he says of a resolution he penned calling for Family Day to be moved so that it would align with the rest of the country.
“We took it through the North Local Governments Association twice and it was finally endorsed by the Union of BC Municipalities at their convention in Vancouver last September. So this is indeed good news.”
Family Day according to a news release was established in BC in 2013 following a consultation process that had recommended the holiday be on either the second or third Monday of February.
The government of the day decided on the second Monday, even though it was inconsistent with other Canadian provinces and the United States.
In announcing the change for 2019, Premier John Horgan says Family Day will now be better aligned for businesses and families.
“Moving Family Day is the right thing to do for businesses small and large, and is better for families who may be spread out across the country,” said Horgan.
“This gives families an opportunity to schedule and spend more time with loved ones from other provinces.”
Paull says he is not disappointed that the change will only take effect next year.
“These things have to be announced at least a year out because people make their plans, businesses have employees to look after. Calendars, for instance, we need a year’s leap time just to change the calendar,” he said with a laugh.
“So it’s ok by me. That’s for sure.”
Paull adds that he understands Horgan is advocating for abolishing Daylight saving time, and that he wants to see the opposite.
“That will be my next resolution,” he says.
“Because I’m all in favor of keeping daylight savings. So that will be my next mission.”