The Burnaby business community is applauding the province’s decision to align Family Day with other provinces across the country starting next year.
Premier John Horgan made the announcement Friday afternoon calling it “the right thing to do for businesses small and large.”
“(It’s) better for families who may be spread out across the country,” added Horgan in a statement. “This gives families an opportunity to schedule and spend more time with loved ones from other provinces.”
The change will see B.C.’s Family Day moved from the second Monday in February to the third Monday of the month starting in 2019, aligning it with provinces, including Ontario and Alberta and some American states.
Burnaby Board of Trade president and CEO Paul Holden said he was happy with the decision and hoped it would remove what has been “a significant inconvenience” for the business community.
“Our membership voiced overwhelming support to have Family Day aligned with other jurisdictions. Having advocated on their behalf these last few years, I am pleased to see the province respond positively to our efforts,” Holden said.
The Burnaby Board of Trade has been lobbying the government to change Family Day from the second to third Monday of February since it was implemented by the previous B.C. Liberal government in 2013.
Last year, the board sent a letter to the government calling once again for the change. A survey conducted by the board of trade showed 90 per cent of members preferred Family Day be moved to the third Monday of February.
