Alberta
The holiday was first celebrated in 1990.[3] Alberta was the only province in Canada to have a statutory holiday in February until Saskatchewan began observing it in 2007.
The holiday was proclaimed by Lieutenant Governor Helen Hunley, on the advice of her premier, Don Getty. Premier Getty said it was important for all Albertans to take time for their families, and that this holiday would emphasize the importance of family values.[4]
Getty faced considerable criticism at the time, many employers feeling an additional statutory holiday was an unnecessary financial burden. In response to the criticism, the holiday of Heritage Day was downgraded to a civic holiday, meaning employers are not required to observe this day. Under Alberta law, the employer may choose to observe Heritage Day as a general holiday, under which rules applying to general holiday pay will be used.[5]