Today in Canada

Canada is celebrating today and especially in Montreal. Mens Mogels skier Alexandre Bilodeau is from a suburb of Montreal and practices less than an hour from our house. While he's a great skier, we're more impressed with Alexandre as a person and a sibling of someone with special needs. Hearing him talk about his brother is both inspiring and humbling. Congratulations to Canada.

Today is a busy day for all of Canada. As it was written in the Montreal Gazette..."It's Flag Day* in Canada,  Family Day** in Saskatchewan and Ontario, Louis Riel** Day in Manitoba, Islander Day** in Prince Edward Island and Presidents' Day*** in the United States. Here in Quebec, it's Monday.****

* Flag Day -- February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996. It marks the day in 1965 when the red and white maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill in Ottawa hundreds of communities across Canada. Red and white were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty King George V. Quebec could care less.

**Family Day, Louis Riel and Islander Day -- Nearly 60% of Canadians have a statutory holiday on the third Monday of February, thereby coinciding with the US holiday Presidents' day. The holiday is called "Family Day" in most provinces, and "Louis Riel Day" and "Islander Day" in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, respectively; there is no federally-established Family Day.

*** Presidents' Day -- our American friends and family know this as that random day off in February, ideal for quick trips to Florida or skiing.

****The day after Sunday.