In the October 3, 2011 throne speech, which opened the fourth session of the 39th Parliament, the Government of British Columbia announced that it plans to introduce a new provincial statutory holiday.
The new holiday, known as Family Day, will be celebrated each year on the third Monday in February.
In order to give employers time to adjust to the holiday, the first Family Day will be celebrated on February 18, 2013.
British Columbia will become the fourth province to recognize Family Day, along with Alberta, Ontario, and
Saskatchewan. The third Monday in February is also a holiday in Manitoba (Louis Riel Day) and Prince Edward Island (Islander Day).