WHALEN WANTS NOVA SCOTIANS TO ENJOY A FEBRUARY LONG WEEKEND
Date: Monday February 15, 2010

(Halifax, NS) Halifax-Clayton Park Liberal MLA Diana Whalen is once again championing Joseph Howe Day, a potential February holiday intended to give Nova Scotians more time to spend with their families.

“I’ve been pushing government for five years now to adopt a February holiday,” says Whalen. “With the NDP now in power, it’s my hope that the new government will be more receptive to the idea than the previous Tories. The NDP talked a lot about making life better for families here in our province; giving families an extra day to spend together is one way to do just that."

“I’ve written a letter to Premier Dexter asking him to consider creating Joseph Howe Day on this, the third Monday of February. Now that he is Premier, it is time for him to look at how Nova Scotia is far behind other provinces in terms of statutory holidays.”

Whalen says that the time from New Years Day to Good Friday is the longest period without a holiday. She believes having a statutory holiday on the third Monday of the month would give people time to relax with family. Having a balance between work and personal time promotes health and wellness.

When Whalen first introduced the idea of Joseph Howe Day in 2005, only Alberta celebrated a February holiday. Since then four provinces - Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and P.E.I - have followed suit.

“Nova Scotians work hard and they deserve to have a winter holiday as more than 50% of Canadians do,” Whalen contends. “Hopefully, this time next year we’ll be enjoying our first Joseph Howe Day.”


-30-