National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th will be marked as a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is an important step in the reconciliation process, which provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to honour their survivors, their families, and communities.
At the City, we humbly acknowledge that our commitment to reconciliation is growing and evolving. Through meaningful engagement and education, we advocate for greater diversity and inclusion and strive to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action in the workplace.
The City is committed to advancing reconciliation within our community, and we encourage everyone to use September 30th as a day to honour residential school survivors and recognize the intergenerational impacts colonization has on local and urban Indigenous populations. To participate in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we recommend engaging with the resources linked below to educate yourself, friends and family members.
How the City is Recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On May 9, 2022, Council officially declared September 30th as a day of public commemoration and reflection on the legacy of residential schools. The truth and impact of residential schools is personally known and experienced by Indigenous persons here within our City, in the broader region, and across Canada.
Since the City will observe Monday, September 30th as a statutory holiday and public day of commemoration, many services will be closed for the day. However, as many of our staff deliver services on a 24/7 basis, these services will continue to be delivered, operating in the manner that we would on any public holiday. Note that construction is prohibited on September 30, as it's a public holiday, and no inspections can be scheduled.
Important Dates
- May 5 – National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls
- June 21 – National Day of Indigenous Peoples
- September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day