TORONTO - The Liberal government insists criminal and traffic court cases originally scheduled for Ontario's new Family Day holiday next month won't be tossed out.
Thousands of people facing criminal or traffic charges were originally given a February 18th court date, the same date as the new statutory holiday.
The province and municipalities have been working since last fall to reschedule any court appearances on Family Day, when the courts will be closed.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says all of the wrinkles with the new holiday will be ironed out before then.
Attorney General Chris Bentley says no criminal charges will be dropped because of Family Day, adding municipalities have also had lots of time to reschedule traffic court dates.
But there is still a lot of confusion about exactly who qualifies for the new holiday, and union leaders warn there will be strikes and unrest until all workers get Family Day off.
