Manitoba schoolchildren will name the province's new holiday, Labour Minister Nancy Allan announced Thursday after introducing legislation that would make the third Monday in February a day off.

"Manitobans have told us loud and clear that they would like a holiday in February during the long stretch between New Year’s and Easter," Allan said in a release. 

"It is our goal that next February, Manitobans will have a day off to spend with their friends and families, and to enjoy the many great outdoor activities our province has to offer."

The province will hold a contest in which schools will be invited to name the new holiday. The name should be of relevance to Manitoba and make a reference to citizenship, history, culture, the arts, sports or a significant individual, provincial officials said.

Each school will be allowed to submit one entry. Material on the contest will be sent to each of the province's 850 schools shortly.

The MB4Youth Advisory Council, a group of 15 young leaders who advise the government on issues relating to youth, will select the winning name. Allan wants the name to be determined by the end of the school year.

The proposed legislation allows for the same amount of shopping on the new holiday as is allowed on Sundays and several other statutory holidays.

After initially dismissing the idea, the province agreed earlier this year to create a February statutory holiday in response to public pressure.

Groups such as the Canadian Federation of Independent Business complained that they had not been consulted about the idea, and argued such a holiday would cost employers millions of dollars.

Manitoba currently has seven holidays. Provincial officials say that eight is still below Canada's national average.

Residents of Alberta have celebrated Family Day on the third Monday in February since 1990, while Saskatchewan enjoyed its inaugural February statutory holiday — also named Family Day — on Feb. 19.

If the Manitoba legislation passes, the first of the new holidays will be Monday, Feb. 18, 2008.