Other names
Louis Riel Day (Manitoba)
In February 2007, it was reported that the Manitoba government was considering a February holiday. Legislation proclaiming the third Monday in February as Louis Riel Day was passed by Manitoba's Legislative Assembly on April 17, 2007, and first celebrated February 18, 2008. The day is known as Louis Riel Day, a name suggested by Manitoba school students, in honour of Louis Riel, the Métis leader regarded as the Father of Manitoba.[17]
Islander Day (Prince Edward Island)
The provincial government of Prince Edward Island introduced Islander Day in 2009, due to the rising trend of a holiday in February. It was first held on the second Monday of February in 2009, rather than the third Monday, as in other provinces. This incongruity effected much controversy, as businesses suffered as a result of being out of sync with their partners in other provinces, as well the United States, which celebrates Presidents Day on the third Monday of February. In April of 2009, Provincial Attorney General Gerard Greenan moved the holiday to the third Monday in February.[citation needed]
Nova Scotia Heritage Day
After the Nova Scotia Liberal Party was elected in 2013, its leader Stephen McNeil said he planned to create a February statutory holiday in Nova Scotia.[18] In December 2013 the government introduced a bill to create a holiday on the third Monday in February, starting in 2015.[19][20] The permanent name for the holiday, Nova Scotia Heritage Day, was announced on June 26, 2014.[21] Each year it will honour a different person or event, chosen by Nova Scotian school children, the first was Viola Desmond.[22] Other days will recognize Mi'kmaq heritage, Africville, Joseph Howe, Edward Francis Arab, Nora Bernard, Carrie Best, J. Willie Comeau, Grand-Pré National Historic Site, William Hall, Rita Joe, Maud Lewis, and Mona Louise Parsons.[23]
Yukon Heritage Day
In Yukon, Yukon Heritage Day is a statutory holiday observed on the third Friday of February.[24][25] Depending on the year, this falls three days before, or four days after, the third Monday of February.