British Columbia is moving to pay tribute to one of Canada's best-loved heroes.
Linda Reimer, the MLA for the Port Moody-Coquitlam riding where Fox grew up, introduced a private member's bill Thursday that seeks to declare the second Sunday after Labour Day as Terry Fox Day in the province.
That day is already reserved for the Terry Fox Run, the charity event that raises funds for efforts to find cures for cancer.
Premier Christy Clark says the decision to honour one of the province's -- and one of the country's -- best-known figures is long overdue.
"Terry is a hero for every single Canadian. He personifies the humility that comes with greatness," Clark told reporters in Vancouver.
Fox's brother, Darrell Fox, who stood by Clark's side as she addressed reporters, said he was pleased to see the honour coming from Terry's home province.
"Terry Fox is everywhere across this country and around the world, but he was from Port Coquitlam. He was from the tri-cities area, and this province of B.C. was his home. So, that's why we're so excited," he said.
He added he's pleased the designation will comes in time for next year's 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run.
Before he died, Terry Fox chose September as the month for an annual event to raise money for cancer research because it was on Sept. 1, 1980 that he learned that his bone cancer had spread to his lungs, forcing him to end his Marathon of Hope.
The annual Terry Fox Run continues Terry’s dream of finding a cure for cancer. To date, over $650 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Fox's name.
With a report from CTV News Vancouver's Julie Nolin
