Good Friday his advisers, decreed that Good Friday that year would be a holiday. This was Castro's response to a request made personally to him by Pope Benedict XVI during the latter's Apostolic Visitation to the island and León, Mexico that month. The move followed the pattern of small advances in Cuba's relations with the Vatican, mirroring Pope John Paul II's success in getting Fidel Castro to declare Christmas Day a holiday. Both Good Friday and Christmas are now annual holidays in Cuba. In Hong Kong, despite the transfer of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997, Good Friday continues to
Toquaht First Nation on Council, with three other Councillors elected every four years. The government structure under the Toquaht Constitution consists of a Legislative branch, an Executive branch, and a People’s Assembly. The Toquaht Nation reserves the right to establish a judicial branch as well. In January 2009, in a traditional ceremony Grand Chief Bert Mack passed on Chieftainship to Anne Mack, who succeeds him after a reign of over 50 years. The Toquaht Nation has a small administrative structure which oversees social and economic development programs, treaty implementation, and governance coordination. Their administration's phone number is 250-726-4230. For more information go to