The latest federal statutory holiday will become a provincial statutory holiday this year.
The provincial NDP government has added the Sept. 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday for all B.C. employees beginning this year.
Labour Minister Harry Bains introduced the legislation in the Legislature on Tuesday (Feb. 7) — the second day back for MLAs in the current sitting — with the first reading receiving unanimous consent.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government in 2021 deemed Sept. 30 to be the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a statutory holiday for federal employees. Sept. 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day, which marks the impacts of Canada’s residential school system on Indigenous people. The Liberals announced creation of the statutory holiday just days after the May 2021 announcement by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc that a ground-penetrating radar scan of land near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School had found indications of 200 probable graves. Exhumation to confirm if the probable graves are actual graves has yet to be done.
While the holiday was introduced federally, it has been left to provinces and private businesses as to whether it will be included in their roster of statutory holidays. In addition to B.C., Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut recognize the holiday.
There are 11 statutory holidays for federal employees:
• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• Labour Day
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Thanksgiving
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day
With the addition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, B.C. also has 11 statutory holidays:
• New Year's Day
• Family Day
• Good Friday
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• B.C. Day
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Day
