Bill 5 2003

An Act to amend the
Retail Business Holidays Act
to make September 11
a holiday known as America Day

Preamble

Canada enjoys a great number of military, strategic, economic, cultural, social and emotional ties to the United States of America, our neighbour to the south and west.

For example, both Canada and the United States of America are members of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the G-8 group of industrialized countries. The United States fought in both World Wars of the 20th century as allies of Canada.

The United States of America has historically been and continues to be the trading partner with whom Canada conducts its most international trade. Canada has long enjoyed a high standard of living, thanks in large part to its trading relationship with the United States. Since 1989 Canada and the United States have enjoyed the benefits of a free trade agreement that is currently known as the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Both Canada and the United States of America have a system of democratic government. Together with Americans, Canadians share a desire to live in peace, provide ever-greater opportunities for their children, protect the dignity of individuals, value individual freedoms and express respect for divergent viewpoints. The two countries have long been close friends and allies in the pursuit of these values. Indeed Canada's border with the United States constitutes the longest undefended border in the world.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists committed a number of horrific acts of barbarism against the United States of America that resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, including some Canadian citizens. As a result of Canada's close military, strategic, economic, cultural, social and emotional ties to the United States, Ontario believes that it is important for Canada to stand together for freedom with the United States. Out of respect for the United States, our friend, ally and largest trading partner, this Act proclaims the anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001 as America Day.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. (1) The definition of "holiday" in subsection 1 (1) of the Retail Business Holidays Act, as re-enacted by the Statutes of Ontario, 1996, chapter 34, section 1, is amended by adding the following clause:

(e.1) September 11 in each year to be known as America Day,

(2) Section 1 of the Act, as amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 1993, chapter 14, section 1, 1993, chapter 27, Schedule, 1996, chapter 34, section 1 and 2002, chapter 17, Schedule F, Table, is amended by adding the following subsection:

America Day

(3) September 11 in each year is proclaimed as America Day.

Commencement

2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the America Day Act, 2003.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Retail Business Holidays Act to proclaim September 11 in each year as America Day and to make it a holiday for the purpose of that Act.