Opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis says establishing a new national holiday may add to the economic problems Bahamians are experiencing during the global recession.

Dr Minnis spoke to Parliamentarians during a debate about establishing a national holiday on January 10 to commemorate Majority Rule Day, which was achieved on January 10, 1967. Dr Minnis said: “An extra holiday would not only add additional cost to the business community, but that cost would filter down to the general public as it would result in food cost, and an increase in utilities among other cost of living factors.

“Wherein a holiday is necessary to reflect, celebrate and commemorate the events of Majority Rule, in this time of financial distress and a sluggish economy, should we add another holiday to the already taxed businesses?” He added: “The Bahamas, like several other countries, currently has 10 holidays, which within itself has been budgeted and the associated costs planned for by businesses. Countries like Jamaica, Canada, and even the United States have 10 holidays throughout the year.”

He said: “The opposition at this time would like to recommend a removal and replacement of a holiday so that we minimise the expense associated with an additional holiday.” In addition, Mr Minnis criticised the PLP for what he claimed was a ‘habit’ of using Majority Rule to divide rather than unite Bahamians. “Too often since 1967, the celebration of that moment of national democratic enfranchisement has been arrogated as the historic legacy of only one political party,” he said, adding that “there has been a sense of exclusion of broad sectors of Bahamian society from the full appreciation of the fruits of Majority Rule which have, in fact, been experienced since that time by every Bahamian of whatever political, racial or ethnic hue.”