BC declares September 30 as statutory holiday to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The British Columbia government has introduced legislation to make September 30 as a paid statutory holiday marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Labour Minister Harry Bains introduced a bill in the legislature today, saying the holiday will be observed this September and every September 30 afterwards.

The decision comes after a call to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, that asked the federal government to establish a day to honour residential school survivors, their families and communities.

In case the legislation passes as expected, B.C. will join Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon in designating September 30 as a statutory holiday.

Bains said the B.C. law honours the strength and resilience of residential school survivors and remembers the children who never came home.