The New Brunswick government is considering implementing a holiday in February “to recognize New Brunswick Families,” following other provinces like Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
“New Brunswick is built on strong families and communities,” social development minister Cathy Rogers said in a release Monday.
“Giving hard-working New Brunswickers a chance to take a break and spend a day with their families could lead to a more engaged and productive workforce.”
Children are off school, provincial businesses, banks and many other small businesses are closed in Nova Scotia on Feb. 15, as the province recognizes Heritage Day. Last year, Nova Scotia was the seventh province in Canada to legislate a paid holiday in February.
“We will weigh all the factors when making this decision, including the impacts for both employees and employers,” said training and labour minister Francine Landry.
The two departments will analyze the holiday possibility in the coming months and consider whether the holiday should be a paid public one, and what impact it will have on residents and employers.
Although many in the workforce say they’d welcome another long weekend, The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says implementing a new holiday can put stress on small business owners.
“An additional holiday will mean working longer hours to make up the shortfall from lost sales and revenue, lost production, and increased labour costs,” said Monique Morneau CFIB National Affairs Director. “CFIB members have typically been opposed to new statutory holidays in past surveys.”
The span of time between New Year’s Day and Good Friday is the longest period of the year without a statutory holiday.
With a file from Jeremy Keefe, Global News