Holiday On St-Patrick's Day?

The Guinness Party of Canada's more than 110,000 members have lots to celebrate.

Their call to make St. Patrick's Day a National Holiday is one step closer to reality. On Wednesday, Liberal Member of Parliament, Pat O'Brien, presented a Private Member's Bill seconded by Liberal Member of Parliament John O'Reilly calling for the creation of a new national holiday in the three months between New Year's and Easter.

"I believe Canadians need a mid-winter break," says Mr. O'Brien. "The stretch between January and Easter is the longest time Canadians go without a national holiday. Whether it be St. Patrick's Day, Flag Day or Heritage Day, the time has come for the Canadian Government to commit to a new winter
holiday. I am proud to support my constituents, colleagues and groups such as the Guinness Party of Canada in their call for a new day off for all Canadians."

Mr. O'Brien leads the Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Friendship Group a non-partisan fellowship of MPs and Senators. He first met with the Guinness Party of Canada last March, 2003, to discuss its call to make St. Patrick's Day a National Holiday... Newfoundland gets it, so should the rest of us.