Premier Dalton McGuinty has said that if his party is elected that he’ll work toward adding a long weekend holiday in February. In the media and alluded to in his platform, it will be called Family Day. Saskatchewan and Alberta already have such a holiday. While I am tempted by this offer (February IS a horrid month…), I’m not oblivious to the ramification that it will cause to business. An extra paid day off for millions of workers will cost a few billion for business in Ontario. The name and concept really appeals to a populist labour group of voters and I expect that it will be advertised pretty well to pick up their votes.

It will be interesting to see how the Liberals will raise the issue when they are re-elected (Yes, I’m making a Liberal Minority prediction already), but I hope they don’t force more important issues off the table to get it implemented in 2008. To me this is really just a cheap trick that will work in enticing voters but not truely adding any real value.

In terms of a date, I have always enjoyed the idea that instead of a Family Day we can use Flag Day (”Calm down Stephen Harper, I said ‘Flag day’.”). Flag Day in Canada is on February 15 and the holiday could be fixed around a weekend near then in a similar manner to Canada Day. It would be a nice federalist secular holiday that really doesn’t ask anything from you (you could follow tradition though and give someone a Shawinigan Handshake!). Maybe people will actually know when Flag Day is if it is a holiday (which is good as long as it doesn’t turn jingoistic). The holiday would land around Valentine’s Day for people who want a long weekend get away and lands about halfway between New Year’s Day and Good Friday.

What do you think?

EDIT: I thought I would add an additional note I came across while reading the Green’s platform. They also propose adding a holiday, but they go further pledging to introduce legislation to creat SIX new statutory holidays. One in March for creation of Ontario, Earth Day, Friday before first Monday in August, Remembrance Day and days for Municipal and Provincial elections. If you want lots of holidays I guess they are the one to vote for.