B.C.'s first Family Day set for Feb. 11, 2013

B.C.'s first Family Day will be held on the second Monday in February, Premier Christy Clark announced on Monday morning.

That will make the date for the first Family Day Feb. 11.

More than 30,000 people submitted their choices online to help the government determine whichMonday in February should be chosen for the new publicholiday.

The main question waswhetherFamily Day should fall on the third Monday of the month,the same date as holidays in other provinces and Presidents' Day in the United States, or if B.C. shouldhave its ownFamily Day on the second Monday when ski resorts and other holiday spots might be less crowded.

Family Day was first held in Alberta in 1990and has caught on in other provinces, but isnot a federal holiday.

During her run for the B.C. Liberal leadership in January 2011, Clark first promised to bring in the new holidayon the third Monday in Februaryto create a break between New Year's Day and Easter.

People in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan all have the third Monday day off. The provincial holiday is known as Louis Riel Day in Manitoba and Islander Day in Prince Edward Island.