The recent flap over a Bloc Quebecois MP's refusal to give Canadian flags to veterans is reason enough to make Nov. 11 a national holiday, says Liberal MP Dan McTeague.

The member of parliament for Pickering-Scarborough wants a government backbencher or opposition MP to introduce a private member's bill calling for Remembrance Day to be declared a national holiday, the Toronto Sun reported.

As a member of the Privy Council, he is prevented from introducing bills in Parliament.

"Here is an opportunity for an enterprising young member of Parliament of any political stripe," McTeague told the Sun.

"I think there has to be some direction given to a formal, permanent and long-lasting tribute to our fallen comrades, who by land, air and sea, gave us the country we have today."

In some parts of the country, Remembrance Day is already designated as a statutory holiday.

When asked about the idea Monday, Prime Minister Paul Martin says he believes there's a lot of merit in the idea. But it is important, he says, to consider what is the best for children to learn about war: Through a holiday or through Remembrance Day services at school.

"When you're talking about a national holiday, essentially you're talking about schools. And in terms of children knowing about what happened in the great wars in which Canada has participated, you have to ask whether it isn't better to in fact use the school day to teach children about what war is all about and what Canada did," Martin told reporters from CFB Valcartier.

"I'm not sure that Remembrance Day shouldn't be used as a day to teach young Canadians their history."

McTeague said the refusal by Bloc Quebecois MP Andre Bellavance to provide Canadian flags to a Royal Canadian Legion in his riding is reason enough to emphasize Remembrance Day as a national holiday,

"The gesture of that one selfish member, that one twisted member of the Bloc, is probably a good reason we should look at a national holiday," he said.

The flag flap story broke on Friday. Over the weekend, Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe relented, saying flags would be sent to the Legion on Monday. But he also accused others of politicizing the move.

"It's not a question of not providing flags,'' he told reporters outside a Parti Quebecois meeting in Montreal on Sunday.

"There is a difference, I think, between providing a service and promoting (Canada).''