We pack a lot into the pages of every issue of Kayak, but there’s always more great stuff we just can’t fit in. So join Teeka and Beau, our otter mascots, to find out more about the theme of each issue, or just pick up some random bits of Canadian history.

February holidays

For a very long time, cold, grumpy Canadians wanted just one thing: a holiday in February. Well, now at least some of them have one.

The third Monday in February is Family Day in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, it’s the second Monday in February. Alberta was the first to declare the special day, in 1990. The idea was to celebrate home and family, things that were important to the province’s first settlers

Saskatchewan’s first Family Day was in 2007, Ontario’s in 2008, and B.C.’s in 2013.

[Photo credit: Musée McCord Museum] Aboriginal family near Prince Albert, SK, 1919

Since 2008 in Manitoba, the third Monday in February is Louis Riel Day, named for the Métis leader who helped the province become a part of Canada.

[Photo credit: I. Bennetto & Co. (Israel Bennetto, 1860-1946] Louis Riel, after a carte de visite from 1884.

The same day is called Islander Day in Prince Edward Island. It started in 2009 as a day to relax and celebrate family and community.



[Photo credit: Notman photographic Archives - Musée McCord Museum] Mill pond on the Breadalbane Stream near Hunter River, PE, 1915

In the Yukon Territory, the last Friday in February is Heritage Day, which started in 1976 and is usually at the same time as the big Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous.

[Photo credit: Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous]