Now here’s a place that’s got the right idea. Last week, the Russian province of Ulyanovsk held its annual “Conception Day” where citizens were encouraged to skip work and have sex (with their partners) in hopes of boosting Russia’s low birth-rate and decreasing demographic.

Plus, they can get free stuff.

Mothers in the province who give birth in exactly nine months time (on Russia’s national day of June 12, 2008) will qualify for a prize like a fridge or TV for the home! Stolichnaya!

The good news is that it doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or a girl; but ideally it should be one or the other (procreation here is key). It’s reported that this year 78 babies were born on Russia’s nation day which topped the 2006 total of 26. The “just do it” message is clearly getting through.

Maybe Canadians should do it too? We could infuse our own Anne of Green Gables twist to the whole idea with promotional help from über-Canuck mascots (say Pamela Anderson or Ron Jeremy) and some pun-intended TV spots with those stupid Bell beavers spearheading the campaign. I will go ahead and declare it then – take the rest of the week off (my treat) and go get busy.

To learn more about the declining Ulyanovsk demographic click here.
Happy Hump Days ahead!