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Written By
Zain Usmani
Jan 22, 2025
•Life in Canada
Family Day is a fairly new Canadian holiday. Currently, only Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and New Brunswick recognize it as a statutory holiday. Family Day was first celebrated in Alberta, in 1990. Since then, other provinces have adopted the holiday as well. Family Day takes place on the third Monday of February, each year. This year, the holiday is on Monday, February 17, 2025. In this article, we will look at what Family Day is and what it symbolizes. We will also answer the question: Is Family Day a statutory holiday? Let’s get right into it
Family day is a day to spend time with your family members. It was first introduced in 1990 with the passing of the Family Day Act. What makes Family Day different from other holidays is the reason it was proclaimed. Family Day is a leisurely day off from work or school like other holidays. However, there is more to Family Day than just that.
Family Day gives light to one of the biggest things we take for granted: Our family. Former Albertan Premier, Don Getty, first introduced Family Day after his son was arrested for drug trafficking and possession. He wanted Family Day to help strengthen families.
Is Family Day a statutory holiday? To answer that, we first need to understand what a statutory holiday is. The term statutory holiday is thrown around quite a lot but it is often misunderstood. Simply put, a statutory holiday is a designated day that is a paid day off for all employees. A national statutory holiday happens all across Canada. Some provinces also have statutory holidays that are only observed in that province.
Currently, there are five nationwide statutory holidays in Canada:
If you work on a statutory holiday, you will receive 1½ times your regular pay for that day. For example, if your regular hourly pay is $20/hr, you receive $30/hr for each hour worked. ($20/hr x 1½ = $30).
The answer to whether or not Family Day is a statutory holiday is complicated. Family Day is not a national statutory holiday. This means that not every province recognizes Family Day as a statutory holiday. However, employees will get a paid day off in the provinces that observe the holiday including:
Alberta
Other provinces have similar statutory holidays on the same day. Prince Edward Island has Islander day, Nova Scotia has Heritage Day, and Manitoba has Louis Riel Day. While Family Day is not a national statutory holiday, there is a chance it will be in the future.
Since Family Day is a fairly new holiday, Canada doesn’t have many traditions to boast about. Family Day, in general, is a day to spend time with your family and have a good time.
Since Family Day occurs in February, you can enjoy winter activities and events. Or, you can simply pull out a board game that the family enjoys. If you have an elder living with you who likes to tell stories, take some time to listen to them. Family Day is about exploring things you might have overlooked about your family.
If you reside in one of the provinces that recognize Family Day as a statutory holiday, you can usually find plenty of free activities. For example, in British Columbia, the government ensures celebrations are accessible to everyone. So you can find free virtual and in-person activities throughout the province over the entire Family Day weekend.
You can check out the BC Recreation and Parks Association for a list of admission-free activities across the province. You can also visit the Royal BC Museum, or join online events. Or in Edmonton, Alberta check out indoor entertainment, education, and other Family Day activities at the Alberta Legislature.
Family Day is especially great if you don’t usually spend much time with your family. A distant family will never be as strong as one that stays connected. It is important to do fun activities with your family once in a while. Family Day is just one day. Yes, it encourages you to spend time with your family but there is more to the holiday than that. Family Day serves as a reminder to remain close and include everyone who is a part of our family.
WRITTEN BY
Zain Usmani
Writer, Prepare for Canada
My name is Zain Usmani and I am a freelance content writer who currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario. I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 5 years ago and have lived in many cities ever since. I have lived in Calgary AB, Edmonton AB, Regina SK, London ON, and Mississauga ON, while visiting over 40 Canadian cities and towns. I have a great passion for writing and I love helping people through it.
© Prepare for Canada 2025
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