Province proposes Special Days Act to promote cultural awareness and history education

The Government of Alberta is looking to implement a new way to put emphasis on the calendar’s most important days.

New legislation — Bill 3 — called the Special Days Act aims to promote greater cultural awareness, and inspire Albertans to take action on important causes and around historic events.

“Special days help us celebrate Alberta’s vibrant cultural diversity, focus our attention on important issues and remember our shared heritage,” says Ron Orr, Culture Minister, and MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka. “It’s important to acknowledge these dates, and the Special Days Act will make it easier for Alberta’s government to do so.”

Currently, the government recognizes special dates through proclamations, which establish a date in perpetuity, and declarations, which recognize a date for one year only, as they happen. They are not legally protected, however.