For most Canadians, the third Monday of February is a paid holiday — but that’s not the case in Quebec.
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick all celebrate Family Day.
Those in Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia also observe the holiday, though it goes by different names.
Concordia University economics professor Moshe Lander says the concept dates back to 1990 in Alberta.
“It was merely just a way to break up that long stretch between New Year’s Day and Easter,” he explains. “The premier at the time, Don Getty, had gotten into a little bit of hot water, and as a way to try and placate everybody, he announced in the legislature that, ‘Hey, we’re going to have a Family Day holiday.’”
The day is meant to promote work-life balance.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Montreal newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Quebec isn’t the only province left out of the holiday — Canada’s three territories and most people in Newfoundland and Labrador are also at work on Monday.
Without the Civic Holiday in August or Truth and Reconciliation Day in September, Lander says Quebec is getting the short end of the stick.
“The premier would have you believe that that boosts Quebec’s productivity,” he tells CTV News. “I could actually make the opposite argument, which is that it lowers everybody’s productivity because we’re all sad going to work.”
On Monday, it will be rise and grind — and Quebecers will have to push at the National Assembly if they want any change.
