On 11 October 2007, the Government of Ontario announced the creation of a province-wide statutory holiday known as “Family Day”.  This day will occur on the third Monday in February of each year, beginning 18 February 2008, for the purpose of emphasizing and celebrating the importance of families taking time to be together.

The government is proposing to amend Regulation 304 to permit a one-time reduction in 2007-08 in the number of instructional days in the school year.  This amendment would, if approved as currently planned by the Ministry of Education, allow for 193 school days for the 2007-08 school year.

Once we have been notified that amendments to the Regulation have been approved, members will be notified.  Provincial Offie is committed to continuing to work with the government to ensure that teachers are not penalized for this new hoiday in ensuing years.