4 things to know about Family Day this long weekend | News

Here are four things to know about Family Day in Ontario this coming long weekend (Feb. 17-19), including free fishing for all residents and visitors to the province.

1. FREE fishing

Free fishing is available on Family Day weekend (February 17-19). “Canadian residents can fish for free in Ontario four times a year. This means you don't need to buy a fishing license if you want to fish,” says the Ontario government's fishing website. By the way, in 2024, the remaining three cases where you can catch fish for free

• Mother's Day weekend (May 11 and 12, 2024)

• Father's Day weekend (June 15 and 16, 2024)

• Family Fishing Week (June 29 to July 7, 2024)

Remember, you must comply with all relevant regulations, which you can see here.

2. ANNOUNCED AFTER ELECTION VICTORY

Family Day was an Ontario Liberal initiative that was promised in the run-up to the October 10, 2007 general election. When they won a second supermajority government, they wasted no time, announcing on October 12 that it would take place next year in February 2008. “It's a small thing, but it's important, and I think it's a recognition of our priorities,” Dalton McGuinty told reporters after speaking at a breakfast in his hometown of Ottawa. “There is nothing more precious for families than spending time together,” said the prime minister at the time.

3. ONE OF THE NINE FEASTS

There are nine public holidays in Ontario. Apart from Family Day, which is the newest, the other eight are New Year's Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

4. MOST SHOPS SHOULD BE CLOSED – PULL

The Retail Business Holidays Act for Ontario stipulates that “retail businesses in Ontario must close” on nine retail holidays (which are not the same as the public holidays listed above, except that Easter Sunday is included and Boxing Day is not specified). One exception to the rule is stores under 2,400 square feet with three or fewer employees in certain categories. Of course, the online government primer notes that “these mandatory closures do not apply to municipalities if they have passed a law that the act does not apply.” The best thing to do is to follow the government's advice to “ask your municipality to check if there are holiday closing requirements for retail businesses”.

– With Toronto Star files