Do you support the idea of a new paid holiday in February despite concerns it would hurt our economy?

Question

Recently a federal politician re-introduced the idea of a paid national holiday in February, in this instance to celebrate Flag Day. (What better way to beat the winter blahs, right?) But some business groups are critical of the idea, claiming a paid holiday would hurt the economy and business owners. What do you think?

(And please remember to come back and vote for your favourite answer.)

Answer 1

In Saskatchewan we have a paid holiday in Febrauary (it started in 2007).

They call it family day.

And although I liked the idea of a paid day off, I think we have enough as it is.

All the stores were packed and it seemed like just another day to spend money.

Also, my furnace happened to break down on Monday morning (at 2am). Being that it was a holiday no one would come and fix it.

Paid holidays are expensive for everyone.

Answer 2

The concern for the economy should be very light as workers will often take their own paid 'sick day' to offset this anyway. An additional long weekend would go a long way for productivity via worker moral and would help alleviate the winter doldrums that many suffer through during the darker months. I am certain these 'critcs' are the ones who don't pay for any sick days, and are simply watching the bottom line with little regard for the general well being of their workers. A simple extra day off actually adds up to many ounces of prevention. a paid holiday at this time of the year would boost productivity across the board, by counteracting the winter blues, blahs and flu's. Flag Day, however, would be a bit of a disaster in Quebec. A better option would be Feb 2nd, a traditional holiday in many cultures, marking the mid-point of the winter, and the end of the darkest quarter of the year. Since attention to the natural order is, at this point, even more urgent than attention to federalism, I would vote for a holiday on Feb 2nd, Mid-Winter, Imbolg or Oimelc, Candlemas, Groundhog Day.

Answer 3

Most people are recharged by a longer paid weekend and there is too long of a stretch between New Years and Easter each year. Also, this would help people with SAD and winter depression take less sick time if they had an additional day off. Most business' probably don't think of the amount of Sick time they actually have to pay for at this time of year. It would benefit everyone. Why do business' think that it will always affect their bottom line. Sick days actually affects their bottom line more, and it is too bad that they see this as an opportunity to lower their $$$. Who has the money to be spending in the 1st quarter of the Calendar year. Most people are still paying for Christmas in February.I think we all need a holiday in February to combat Season Effectiveness Disorder but I think the most important holiday that needs to be sorted out first is Remembrance Day. Every Canadian should be off and every business should be shut. The current system where Government, Banks and some Provinces have a holiday is silly. These people spend their days shopping and paying absolutely no respect to what the day is all about. In the next 15 years we will have no Veterans and our tradition of remembering the dead that fought for our freedom will all be gone. Its become a day for the privileged to go shopping and get caught up on chores at home. If any day should be family day Remembrance Day should be it.

Answer 4

Of course a holiday in February would be good and frankly, we should be celebrating our Flag, the Americans do it, so too the Germans, and many other nations.

As for the business owners who cry fowl, give us all a collective break. Please. One more holiday will not in any way shape or form hurt the economy. How can business people, who one assumes are educated and bright people, be so obtuse.

Several nations on this planet have far more holidays than Canada including the richest one, the U.S. So how do business people explain this disconnect, the truth is they can't. Their opposition has more to do with greed and squeezing that extra drop of blood...sorry...money from people, than it does about concern for the economy. Strangely, business people don't realize that having a holiday here and there actually increases profits in the long term because people tend to be happier and thus more productive. Their own studies show that. So why the short sightedness? Who knows, all I know, is I definitely would support a Flag Day holiday, not only for the day off but because I am fiercely proud to be Canadian.

Answer 5

The idea of a paid holiday in February would have to be properly situated in the week. If a specific day is picked, like February 15 which is Flag Day, then I believe it would hurt the small businesses because that specific day would move to a different day each year. However, if the paid holiday were to be situated on a Friday or a Monday, it might have more appeal to the general public. There isn't enough time to go anywhere, like an amusement park even if one were open, but it might rejuvenate the tourism industry for winter sports. If a National Day of Sporting/Winter events could be organized across the country in the individual communities like Winterlude or Carnaval de Quebec, it would allow people to visit each other to see how they celebrate winter activities.
You can't just expect people to take a day off and do nothing. This would be a good way to support a different segment of the economy. With the late arrival of snow for the 2006/2007 Winter, it would be a form of celebration for the tourism operators who nearly lost their businesses.

Answer 6

Alberta has had Family Day in February for almost 20 years. There was a lot of bellyaching back when it was introduced about how much it was going to cost and so on and given the cloud under which it was introduced (folks may remember that the premier at that time, Don Getty, had a son arrested for trafficking cocaine and introduced the holiday either to "promote giving families more time to spend together" or, as us cynics believe to deflect the bad publicity surrounding an already unpopular premier) it was no surprise that most businesses didn't really support it. The next government, Ralph Klein's even promised to abolish it, but never did get around to it.........

It is now firmly established in our calendar and it's great to see that Saskatchewan has adopted it now too.

There is more or less an "unofficial" paid holiday between New Year's and Easter since almost everyone takes a "sick" day or vacation day during this time anyway. It's a long stretch, after all! Thus, I doubt there would be a significant increase in the actual cost if it was formalized.

Answer 7

It's a very long time to go between New Year's and Easter. It's also a time with limited sunlight and increased depression. A paid holiday is a great way to break up the months and the winter doldrums. Flag Day not such a good idea since we celebrate Canada Day in July and is pretty much a celebration of the flag anyway. As for businesses, how many extra unpaid hours do they get out of people each year? There's no talk about what that does for the individual's economy. I don't see how it's a hardship for them. Plus you just might see reduced sick time if you actually gave people a break from it all. So much talk about improving health and so little done to actually make a difference. I say, yes, let's have a winter holiday.

Answer 8

There is not only the loss of one extra working day for employers, but employees are also less productive just after holidays, and yes, those in the service industry would have to offer holiday pay. However, on the other side of that coin is, well, coin. I am confident business owners will be able to adapt to any new holiday and find a way to market it as some sort of consumer extravaganza, perhaps an excuse to throw sales to clear out all the excess winter merchandise. We spend more during holidays, from an economic AND business perspective holidays are usually an occasion to make more money, not less. Finally, just a brief acknowledgement of the comparatively little holiday time workers in North America receive compared to our European counterparts, without too much damage to their economy it seems. I would suggest that a holiday at the dreariest time of year would be just what we stalwart Canadians deserve. Bring on Flag Day!
Having it provincial means that in many cases one person has the day off and the other has to work. It should either be all provinces or no provinces. AND, effecting the economy...I don't think it will break the bank. People are always afraid of something new, but after a couple of years it will be no different than Good Friday...it will simply be a "Matter of fact". I do feel for the business owners who have to put out for holiday pay, but they get the day off too, don't they? Budget for it and enjoy the "family day".

Answer 9

in February would have to be properly situated in the week. If a specific day is picked, like February 15 which is Flag Day, then I believe it would hurt the small businesses because that specific day would move to a different day each year. However, if the paid holiday were to be situated on a Friday or a Monday, it might have more appeal to the general public. There isn't enough time to go anywhere, like an amusement park even if one were open, but it might rejuvenate the tourism industry for winter sports. If a National Day of Sporting/Winter events could be organized across the country in the individual communities like Winterlude or Carnaval de Quebec, it would allow people to visit each other to see how they celebrate winter activities.
You can't just expect people to take a day off and do nothing. This would be a

Answer 10

If February is a short month, winter is too long a season. There's little wonder why Suicide Prevention Week happens to be in February! There is a too long a time between New Year's and Easter. Schools have a spring break, but everyone needs a break. Giving people a holiday will refresh them during these long, drawn-out periods over the winter. We need to pay more attention to the mental health of Canadians. For most working Canadians, I think it will help them work better and the economy run better when people are not dragging themselves until the next public holiday.

Answer 11

Business groups may lose money initially but every good business owners should know how to compensate and adjust accordingly to the situation. In contrast, it may even be good for the economy, shops or retailers wise.

A holiday on February is a good thing not only for the whole country but also for business owners on the long run. The people of Canada will be much happier, especially in the depressive winter, that they could spent more time with family or just to wind down. As a result, the workers could become even more productive when doing their jobs.

U.S.A. has a Holiday on February and they still remain one of the richest nation in the world. Is the Holiday hurting their economy? I wouldn't say so.