Families are essential to building strong communities

Toronto – February 13, 2014 – Every year citizens in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan celebrate Family Day by spending much-needed time with friends and loved ones. Many UFCW Canada members use the day to participate in activities aimed at the whole family, and a number of communities plan special public events to mark the statutory holiday. Some people also use Family Day as a chance to explore their personal heritage and family history while taking a short winter break from work or school.  

As Canada's leading retail union, UFCW Canada recognizes the important role that families and family life play in building strong communities. That's why our union constantly fights to protect and expand public holidays in order to allow Canadians to spend more time with the people they love. We also strive to negotiate paid family leave language, and, in partnership with the Canadian Labour Congress and its affiliates, work to educate and lobby elected officials on the importance of promoting work-life balance to help families thrive.

In addition to these efforts, UFCW Canada consistently advocates for the equal treatment of all families – whether it be fighting to restore migrant workers' access to the EI parental benefits they help pay for, denouncing the Harper government's refusal to provide health care coverage to refugee families, or working with Egale Canada to combat discrimination against LGBTQ families in our schools and workplaces.   

Our union also believes that every worker should be afforded a statutory holiday in February, and that provinces in which Family Day or an equivalent holiday – such as Heritage Day in the Yukon, Islander Day in PEI, and Louis Riel Day in Manitoba – is not celebrated should establish a day off for workers and their families. The time between New Year's Day and Easter weekend is a very long stretch for most people, and Canadians need a rest during this period.

For those who are lucky enough to have Family Day off, we hope you are able to use the holiday to spend valuable time with your loved ones. As the leading voice for workers across this great country, UFCW Canada will continue to put families at the heart of our efforts as we work to improve the lives of all Canadians and foster strong communities in the process.

In solidarity,

Paul Meinema,
National President