New Brunswick is considering a February holiday, Cathy Rogers says

The New Brunswick government is exploring the ideaof adding a statutoryholiday in February, Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers said on Monday.

"New Brunswick is built on strong families and communities," said Rogers in a statement.

"Giving hard-working New Brunswickers a chance to take a break and spend a day with their families could lead to a more engaged and productive workforce."

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Rogers said severaldepartments will work on an analysis of theproposal for a mid-winter holiday on the third Monday in Februaryinthe next few months.

Part of the review, according to the provincial government, will be to look atwhether the potentialholiday should be a paid public holiday and assess the potential impacts on employers and New Brunswickers.

The idea of a February holiday isn't new in the province.

After losing the election, the Liberals continued to call for the creation of the February holiday while David Alward's Progressive Conservatives were in government.

On Sunday, another politician raised the idea.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside, who is running for re-election, used Twitter tocall on the provincial government to create a Family Day holiday for New Brunswick.

"We are one of the few provinces left without a holiday tomorrow I hope our Government will address this and give NB families a day together," Woodside said.

New Brunswick is the only Maritime province that doesn't have a holiday in February despite promises from the formerLiberal government.

Neighbouring Nova Scotia observesHeritage Day and P.E.I. celebratesIslanders Day.

Across Canada, it is Family Day in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

BritishColumbiacelebrated a week earlier, on Feb. 8.Manitoba is celebratingLouis Riel Day.

Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, like New Brunswick,don't have a February holiday.

New Brunswickers will have to wait until March 25, Good Friday, to enjoy a long weekend.