Some Canadians spooked by suggestion to move Halloween
The forecast tonight across the country calls for ghosts, goblins and, in many parts, some very nasty weather. The weather is expected to be so bad that certain parts of Quebec, including Montreal, are committed to postponing the beloved spooky celebration to Friday night, when it’s predicted to be drier.
The main concern is that the extreme weather can put children at risk. Municipalities in the province that are delaying trick-or-treating and Halloween events until Friday include Beloeil, Candiac, Longueuil, Magog, McMasterville, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Sorel-Tracy and Varennes. On Wednesday, Montreal’s mayor suggested the city get on board too.
Avis météo: j’invite les petits et grands Montréalais.e.s à passer l’#Halloween vendredi en raison de la pluie et des vents violents annoncés demain. Nos services seront au rendez-vous, et faites preuve de prudence comme à l’habitude. Bonne cueillette de bonbons! #polmtl pic.twitter.com/B0CKoP7mu0
— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) October 30, 2019
Montreal is under a heavy rainfall warning, with 40-50 millimetres estimated for tonight. The last record rainfall on Halloween was in 2013, when the city got 22.4 millimetres.
However, the suggestion to move Halloween’s date has spooked out some citizens.
I grew up in Montreal. Rarely went out for Halloween without a winter coat. It snowed, it rained, it was freezing sometimes, we lived.
— Gingerella (@Ellacreighton28) October 30, 2019
it’s raining and some facebook mom is saying “let’s have all trick or treaters go on saturday!” like luv u cant change the date of halloween 🌚
— rosie (@blissfulnessa) October 31, 2019
Poo hoo on Montreal to try and change Halloween date.. #WEARECANADIAN pic.twitter.com/7Ymsf55bm3
— claire bc (@black_kitt) October 31, 2019
that’s ridiculous,just because of a little bit of rain?you think kids are gonna die from that or something?what kind of halloween falls on november 1st🤢.You just took away the whole halloween spirit,october is literally spooky szn.Thanks for ruining halloween😘
— 𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐚👼🏽✨ (@l0wena) October 30, 2019
I'm a single mother and I work Friday. Are you going to bring my kids out Friday night? I've had kids for 10 years, I think I can decide for myself whether or not something is too dangerous for my kids.
— Denise White (@thedenisewhite) October 30, 2019
Others were open to the proposal, saying it would be safer and more convenient:
Whoever complains about this is dumb . Safety first why not have it on another day when it's safe for everyone to do things properly .
— Giancarlo Novielli (@___Giancarlo___) October 30, 2019
Postponement of Halloween by our Mayor Plante is the weirdest thing I've ever heard BUT I find it AMAZINGLY great decision, for the kids / all ages can enjoy Trick or Treating !! I thought I could save my chocolates! Enjoy and have fun!!! pic.twitter.com/0L5gFpgmKK
— Leticia Custodio (@Leticia38374156) October 31, 2019
I think this is a very good idea. Halloween is an annual festival with no bearing on the date. The kids will have more fun when it isn’t raining and so will the adults. Suck it up people.
— Frank Renzelli (@Frank_Ranzi) October 31, 2019
Quebec isn’t the only place that intends to reschedule Halloween traditions this year. The town of Salem, N.H., posted on its website that trick or treating in the town has been moved to Saturday.
Calls to to reschedule Halloween’s date aren’t a new phenomenon. Last July, a petition by the Halloween & Costume Association was launched, to change the date from the 31st to the last Saturday in October. To date, there are more than 150,000 signatures. They’ve since updated the campaign to call for an additional day of trick or treating, which would fall on a Saturday.
