Lack of February holiday questioned
CBC News
Posted: Feb 20, 2012 8:07 AM AT
Last Updated: Feb 20, 2012 11:21 AM AT
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New Brunswickers will be going to work on Monday even though many Canadians will have the day off to celebrate Family Day or another provincial holiday.
In most provinces, the third Monday of February is designated as a statutory holiday to give workers a break between New Year's Day and Good Friday.
Family Day is celebrated in Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Meanwhile, those in Prince Edward Island celebrate Islander Day and people in Manitoba enjoy Louis Riel Day.
Rita May Gates calls the missing holiday in New Brunswick "the pits."
“I mean we don't get a holiday until what? April or something? So we have a real long stretch and with all this snow and winter, it'd be perfect,” she said.
But the Department of Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour has no plans to add another statutory holiday.
New Brunswick has 10 holidays and the department says adding any more would just be a burden on small businesses.
Adam DeGrace, the manager of Danny's Inn in Beresford, said a February holiday could be a double-edged sword for small businesses, such as his.
He said there could be fewer corporate guests staying at the hotel, but there is a chance to pick up other guests.
"You could certainly have snowmobile groups coming in for that extra night or families staying for that extra night," he said.
Former premier Shawn Graham had promised to introduce a new February holiday if the Liberals won the 2010 election.
Graham said in September 2010 that another holiday would help attract skilled workers.
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