Call to Action # 80

We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Why “Complete?”

As of Nov. 27, 2023, 7 provinces and territories with 34.5% of the Indigenous population have made Sept. 30 a statutory holiday and 6 provinces representing 64.5% of the Indigenous population have not.

Sept. 17, 2024: APTN, CBC/Radio-Canada, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the three partners working collaboratively on the annual production of the national commemorative gathering, Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

June 3, 2021 – Bill C-5 “An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)” a bill that designates Sept. 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation passed in the Senate and received Royal Assent. The “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation” is also known as Orange Shirt Day which commemorates generations of children who attended residential schools”. (CBC)

Sept. 30, 2022: Although technically complete, the reality is that 7 provinces with 79.9% of the Indigenous population in Canada DO NOT recognize Sept. 30 as a statutory holiday. (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador). Only 3 provinces and all three territories have recognized and enacted Sept. 30 as a statutory holiday. (BC, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon)

Current Status

Complete

Call to Action
last updated

September 30, 2024


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Actions and Commitments


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Govt. Support for National Day

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Govt. Opposition to National Day

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NCTR Survivors Flag

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Timelines for Bill C-369

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Remembering the Children

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Indigenous Commemoration Initiatives

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Background Content


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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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What is Orange Shirt Day

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Phyliss Webstad’s Story

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Remembering the Children

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Indigenous Commemoration Initiatives

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