Friday February 11, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
BC Family Day is a provincial statutory holiday. British Columbians celebrate Family Day on the third Monday of February. In 2022, Family Day falls on Monday February 21. That makes for a long weekend (Saturday February 19 through Monday February 21) for many families and communities.
Funding for free activities:
To help support the celebration, the B.C. government provides funding for free Family Day activities.
BC Family Day gives families the opportunity to spend time with their loved ones.
The BC government is funding free virtual and in person Family Day activities throughout the province over the Family Day weekend. This makes sure celebrations are accessible for everyone.
For more information on activities:
COVID-19 Safety
Due to COVID-19, provincial restrictions are in place. Please follow public health guidance when participating in Family Day activities, says the BC Government on their BC Family Day page.
History of BC Family Day:
Family Day was established in British Columbia in 2013 following a consultation process that had recommended the holiday be on either the second or third Monday of February. Those options were largely driven by the interest of the winter snow-based recreation and sport industries, under the BC Liberal government at the time.
The government of the day decided on the second Monday, even though it was inconsistent with other Canadian provinces and the United States, primarily to support business in winter-resort communities.
In February 2018, the BC Government under the Horgan NDP announced that starting in 2019, BC’s Family Day would be moved to the third week in February, so families across the country could celebrate together.
Across Canada:
Most Canadian provinces and territories have a Family Day (or equivalent) in the month of February, generally providing the one and only statutory holiday in the winter month of February.
Family Day will be on Monday February 21 this year in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba (Louis Reil Day), Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia (Heritage Day) and PEI (PEI Islander Day).
