A petition has been circulating throughout the western provinces in an effort to change BC Family Day from the second to the third weekend in February. As a small community, Rossland benefits economically from having two separate public holidays as opposed to one combined holiday. By keeping the BC holiday offset from other holidays in western Canada and the United States, the town can maximize overnight stays and visitor numbers.
With a limited number of accommodations available, in a good season these rooms can fill very quickly. Through syncing our holiday with other provinces and the US, Rossland would miss out on the additional room nights and the economic flow-on effect from these visitors who are able to travel in the third weekend as a result of availability.
Have these people signing the petition forgotten that in 2012 the government asked British Columbians which day in February would suit them best for this holiday? More than 30,000 of us from across the province offered an opinion and over 3,000 left comments justifying our decision. From this data it was determined the second weekend in February was best for the majority.
We are in full support of people spending time with their families, so next year book your relatives and friends a vacation to Rossland for the second weekend in February. Prices will be more affordable and you should not have an issue with availability.