News Release
HRM Councillor Calls for Statutory Holiday
(Tuesday, November 6/2001)- Halifax Regional Councillor Brian Warshick today urged all municipalities across Canada to lobby their respective provincial governments to declare Remembrance Day a statutory holiday.
The Halifax Regional Municipality, on a motion by Councillor Warshick, has also written the Federation of Canadian Municipalities requesting the support of its hundreds of members to have Remembrance Day declared a national day of observance by all.
Councillor Warshick said that Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada to his knowledge that has a Remembrance Day Act, forcing all businesses to close on that day in observance of those who made the Supreme Sacrifice for their country.
The Councillor said " This is not only something that is long overdue for the dwindling numbers of our veterans from the two World Wars and the Korean Conflict, there are many men and women who served their country in the Gulf War... and we have Canadian Armed Forces personnel now serving overseas in the War on Terrorism."
"It's not enough that Remembrance Day is just a Federal holiday. It should have extraordinary distinction as a Statutory holiday in this country. It should be a day to remember those who fought, and those who continue to fight , to preserve and protect our freedom and way of life in Canada, " he said.
Councillor Warshick said it was "shameful" that some provinces in Canada permit commerce to compete against Remembrance Day services and other related events.
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Councillor Brian Warshick
Halifax Regional Municipality
(902) 488-3800
