Family Day in Canada
Quick Facts
On Family Day, people in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan celebrate the importance of families.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Family Day | English |
| Jour de la Famille | French |
Family Day 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008Family Day 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009See list of observations below
Some parents take their children to an outdoor ice rink on Family Day. ©iStockphoto.com/Nikolay Suslov
What do people do?
On Family Day, many people plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating on outdoor ice rinks, playing board games and taking part in craft activities. Some communities plan special public events, and art galleries and museums may have reduced price or free entry. As the weather is usually very cold in February, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks. Other people use the long weekend as an opportunity for a short winter break or to travel to visit family members or friends. As Family Day falls on the same date as National Heritage Day, some people use the day to explore their personal heritage and family history.
Public life
In the provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, many people have a day off work and schools are generally closed on Family Day. Many businesses and organizations are closed, but post offices may be open. Public transport services may run to their usual or reduced timetables.
In the province of Manitoba, the third Monday of February is a general holiday, known as Louis Riel Day. Most people have a day off work and school and most businesses, organizations and stores are closed. In some communities, stores are open after noon. Public transport services may run to Sunday or holiday timetables. In rural areas, there may be no services.
In the other provinces and territories of Canada, Family Day is not observed and the third Monday in February is not a holiday. Businesses, organizations, schools and post offices are open as usual and public transport services run to their normal timetables.
Background
Family Day was first held in Canada in the province of Alberta in 1990. It is supposed to reflect the values of family and home that were important to the pioneers who founded Alberta, and give workers the opportunity to spend more time with their families. Family Day was introduced in Saskatchewan in 2007 and in Ontario in 2008. One of the reasons for introducing Family Day was that there was a long period when there were no holidays from New Year's Day until Good Friday.
Holidays to celebrate families are also held in other places around the globe. In the Australian Capital Territory, the first Tuesday of November is known as Family and Community Day. In South Africa, the day after Easter Sunday is Family Day.
Family Day Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Feb 19 | 1990 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 1991 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 1992 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 1993 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 1994 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 1995 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 1996 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 1997 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 1998 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 1999 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2000 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 2001 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2002 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 2003 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2004 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2005 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 2006 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 2007 | Family Day | Local holiday | AB, SK |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2008 | Family Day | Common Local holidays | ON, AB, SK |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2009 | Family Day | Common Local holidays | ON, AB, SK |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 2010 | Family Day | Common Local holidays | ON, AB, SK |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2011 | Family Day | Common Local holidays | ON, AB, SK |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 2012 | Family Day | Common Local holidays | ON, AB, SK |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2013 | Family Day | Common Local holidays | ON, AB, SK |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 2014 | Family Day | Common Local holidays | ON, AB, SK |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2015 | Family Day | Common Local holidays | ON, AB, SK |
Other holidays in February 2008 in Canada
- Carnival/Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)
- Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)
- Valentine's Day (Thursday, February 14, 2008)
- National Flag of Canada Day (Friday, February 15, 2008)
- Flag Day (Friday, February 15, 2008)
- Louis Riel Day (Monday, February 18, 2008)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
