2021
National Truth and Reconciliation Day
Federal workplaces, and workplaces that observe federal holidays, now have a new statutory holiday. On June 3, 2021, Royal Assent was given to Bill C-5: An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code. The Act establishes National Truth and Reconciliation Day, to be observed September 30.
The Act states that its purpose is to “respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 80 by creating a holiday…which seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Metis Survivors and their families and communities and to ensure that public commemoration of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
At this time, there is no indication that a provincial holiday will be established on that day. However, many local governments have agreed to observe federal statutory holidays in their collective agreements. Therefore, those local governments will be required to observe this new holiday even if it is not established as a provincial holiday.
Pam Costanzo