by Michelle Greysen

Created on: February 08, 2010

Family Day may be unique to Canada but is not enjoyed by all Canadians across the country.  Originating in the province of Alberta it is now also recognized in Saskatchewan and Ontario.

Alberta is a beautiful open setting of prairie lands founded by homesteading pioneer families that came to Alberta in the late 1800’s and worked the land to build this unique Province. Back in 1990 the holiday was officially adopted by the provincial government to recognize the early family values of the pioneering families that built Alberta.

It always falls on the third Monday of February and in a legal public statutory holiday in Alberta and by 2007 Saskatchewan adopted Family Day followed by Ontario in 2008. All government offices, banks and schools observe this day by closing although many business remain open but employers are obligated to provide an alternate day of or pay to a qualifying worker.

For other provinces across the country not recognizing the official Family Day some are following with their own versions and creating a mid February day off such as Manitoba’s Louis Riel Day and Islander Day in Prince Edward Island. Some countries also celebrate families with a day off such as in South Africa where the Monday after Easter Sunday is family Day, or in parts of Australia where the first Tuesday of November is Family and Community Day.

Being a winter holiday and a much-welcomed long weekend break many families take to the outdoors and it is a popular family ski weekend. In some areas the annual teacher’s conventions coincide with the long weekend and many families enjoy a week away. This has fast become the winter break equivalent of the popular spring break and a perfect reprieve from the day to day in that long stretch between Christmas and Easter.

Many cities and towns offer events and festivities to celebrate families with free functions for all. Skating, sledding and tobogganing are popular events on this day complete with fire pits and hot chocolate. For those not venturing out in what can often be harsh winter weather then the galleries and museums in most cities offer family discounts on this holiday, as do many restaurants and theatres.

For those who prefer to stay at home and share a family dinner the addition of bringing out the family history, photo albums and heirlooms and sharing and recording the family tree is a great way to spend the day. After all it was brought about to celebrate your historic routes so spending it doing just that is a perfect way to celebrate your family.

Learn more about this author, Michelle Greysen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.