Why don't all B.C. workers get Sept. 30 off for Truth and Reconciliation Day?
Here are five things to know about Truth and Reconciliation Day, a new federal statutory holiday in Canada on Sept. 30.
Article content
Note: This article references topics and details that some readers may find distressing or disturbing. Support is available via B.C.’s 24/7 First Nations and Aboriginal crisis line at 1-800-588-8717.
On Sept. 30, federal government employees and schools will take the day off to recognize the new federal statutory holiday called Truth and Reconciliation Day.
It’s a sombre occasion to recognize Canada’s horrendous role in the residential school system and the abuse suffered by Indigenous children and families across generations. It is also a time to reflect on how to move forward and reconcile with that dark past.
While B.C. kids will have the day off school, some employers have chosen not to recognize the holiday and give employees either the day off or statutory pay. So why is that?
Here are five things to know about Truth and Reconciliation Day in B.C.:
1. Why hasn’t B.C. made Truth and Reconciliation Day a statutory holiday?
Truth and Reconciliation Day is a federal statutory holiday, which means a paid holiday for federal employees, for example postal workers. Provinces also set their own statutory holidays.
The B.C. government hasn’t created a statutory holiday, though it remains a day of commemoration as it has been in the past as Orange Shirt Day.
B.C. government spokesperson Lisa Leslie said the main reason for this is the need for consultation.
The province has said it will work with Indigenous leaders, organizations and communities on the best and ways to mark Truth and Reconciliation Day in B.C., followed by engagement with business and labour stakeholders on how to move forward.
Since this is not a provincial statutory day, it’s really up to the businesses to decide whether to give employees the day off.
The province is recommending provincial public-sector employers and employees, who are normally entitled to provincial and federal holidays, to honour this day and in recognition of the obligations in the vast majority of union collective agreements. Most agreements secure observance of all stat holidays, either federal or provincial.
2. So what will be closed in B.C.?
Most public schools, post-secondary institutions, research universities, Crown corporations and B.C. government offices will be closed.
The Vancouver Sun and The Province will be honouring the day, so there will be no newspapers published on Sept. 30, however there will be reporters updating the content on our websites.
Workplaces where people expect to find essential supports and services, such as hospitals, will still be available. Most private-sector employers will remain open unless they choose to recognize the holiday for their staff this year.
It is a national holiday, so federal offices and federally regulated businesses, such as the post office, will be closed.
UBC and SFU will be cancelling classes and university employees who are normally entitled to provincial and federal holidays will receive the day off.
3. Do working parents need to arrange alternative daycare?
Most likely. While the province has not recommended daycare centres close, many may follow the provincial school system and close for the day. Parents and guardians should check with their daycare provider to find out what their plans are so they can make arrangements if needed.
The B.C. government said private-sector businesses, including child care providers, have to make their own decisions about if and how to observe the date, most of which will depend on whether they have collective agreements.
4. Why did the government create another statutory holiday?
Truth and Reconciliation Day is meant to be a day of reflection, like Remembrance Day. It was one of the 94 recommendations in the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report. However the federal government didn’t announce it as a national day until June 3, following the horrifying discovery of the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Since then, more remains have been found across Canada at former residential schools, including more than 160 unmarked graves on the grounds of a residential school near Ladysmith on Vancouver Island and as many as 751 unmarked graves on the site of a former residential school in Saskatchewan.
5. What are the statutory holidays in B.C.?
According to B.C.’s Employment Standards, the 10 statutory holidays are:
- New Year’s Day
- Family Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- B.C. Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
- BC Lions to give hundreds of tickets to residential school survivors for game against Roughriders
-
B.C. hasn't made 'Orange Shirt Day’ a statutory holiday but some schools, workplaces plan to close -
When a 7 is not a 7: Squamish Nation woman fights to get her name on her passport -
Indigenous entrepreneurs poised to make big impact on Canadian economy
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.