MPs in Ottawa are finally getting something right. They're moving to make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday all across Canada. You didn't know it isn't yet? It's true. Currently, Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday (paid holiday) in all provinces and territories except Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
MPs in Ottawa are finally getting something right.
They're moving to make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday all across Canada.
You didn't know it isn't yet?
It's true. Currently, Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday (paid holiday) in all provinces and territories except Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
However, members of Parliament are moving to change that.
They voted 258-2 Wednesday night to pass a bill by Ontario New Democratic MP Dan Harris which would make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday throughout the entire country.
The bill is now being studied in committee.
It was drafted after two soldiers were murdered late last month by two Canadian men who were sympathetic to the views of Islamic extremists.
The men and women who join the military to serve and protect our country deserve our utmost respect, especially those who make the ultimate sacrifice and are killed while doing so.
Our understanding is the original reason behind making Nov. 11 a statutory holiday was to make it easier for people to come to Remembrance Day services to show that respect and appreciation.
If we make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday right across this country, that would be one way of doing that.
Unfortunately, too few people use Remembrance Day the way it was intended – as a day to honour the men and women in uniform who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
Many use the day – especially when it falls close to a weekend – as an opportunity to do a myriad of other things – from raking the leaves or washing the car to closing up the cottage – even going skiing when the weather is conducive for that.
Surely it's not too much to ask to take a couple of hours out of your day this morning to pay your respects to those who fought to give you the freedom to live your life the way you want.
Their lives were cut all too short.
So yours wouldn't be.
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