N.S. MLA renews call for February holiday

A Nova Scotia politician is renewing her call for a provincial holiday in February.

Diana Whalen, the Liberal MLA for Halifax Clayton Park, says Nova Scotia should catch up with other provinces, half of which have this Monday, Feb. 15, off.

Residents of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and P.E.I. all have the third Monday in February as a provincial holiday.

Whalen has been calling on the government to declare an annual February holiday since 2004.

She wants the holiday to honour Joseph Howe, the journalist and former premier who is credited with securing freedom of the press and responsible government in the former colony.

According to Whalen, a statutory holiday offers more than just a day off.

"It's a genuine day when families get together and I think it's very hard to measure how wonderful that is for individuals and their families and communities. I think there's a sense of well-being that comes from a holiday and this is the time to have one," she said.

"Nova Scotia is not recognizing that there's a change right across the country and it's time for us to look at that and to be more progressive."

Nova Scotia has the fewest statutory holidays in the country, celebrating only five mandatory federal holidays. Most provinces offer between seven and nine holidays.

Whalen said she intends to write a letter to Premier Darrell Dexter about her idea before introducing another bill in the legislature.