The Manitoba government is formally recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a day of observance to encourage reflection and meaningful discussions about the impacts of residential schools.

Schools will be closed and no classes will be held on Sept. 30,&nbsp;Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere announced in a news release on Friday.

All non-essential provincial government services and offices will also be closed for the day and flags on all provincial government buildings will be lowered to half-mast.

In June, the House of Commons unanimously passed legislation to make Sept. 30 a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to commemorate the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools and to honour the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve for those who were lost.

Bill C-5 was passed swiftly in both the House of Commons and Senate in the wake of the 

 of what are believed to be&nbsp;Indigenous children in unmarked graves at&nbsp;former residential schools.

Royal assent given to bill creating national day for truth and reconciliation

The swift passage of Bill C-5 means Sept. 30 will become the first of what is to be an annual national day for truth and reconciliation.

Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault holds a press conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Heritage 20201103

Federal Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault told the Senate the objective is to create an opportunity for Canadians to learn about and reflect on a dark chapter in their country's history and to commemorate the survivors, their families and their communities — as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Indigenous leaders.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation may be Canada's next new statutory holiday

If everything goes as planned, MP Georgina Jolibois says Canadians may celebrate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation later this year.

Georgina Jolibois MP

Saskatchewan MP Georgina Jolibois introduced a private member's bill to make National Day for Truth and Reconciliation an official holiday, two years ago. Bill C-369 passed through its final reading in the House of Commons last Wednesday.

Sept. 30 was formerly observed unofficially as 

It was held at that time of the year because it was&nbsp;when government agents would take First Nations children from their families and force them into residential schools.

The colour orange refers to the&nbsp;new shirt worn by six-year-old Phyllis Webstad on her first day at a residential school in Williams Lake, B.C., in&nbsp;1976.&nbsp;The shirt, a gift from her grandmother, was taken from her by school officials and never returned.&nbsp;

The passing of the federal bill in June officially made it a federal&nbsp;statutory holiday. That means&nbsp;employees in federally regulated workplaces will have the day off, but several provinces have decided against making it&nbsp;a provincial holiday.&nbsp;

Manitoba has not made it a statutory holiday, which&nbsp;means employers are not obligated to give workers the day off.&nbsp;

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation won't be a statutory holiday for everyone in Saskatchewan

Federally regulated workplaces and people who have collective bargaining agreements that observe federal holidays will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, but the provincial government in Saskatchewan won't recognize the new statutory holiday as such this year.

Image of the Saskatchewan legislature building

Saskatchewan legislature building ledge leg Government 

Legislation changes would be required to make the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a statutory holiday for employees not governed by federal rules and guidelines in Saskatchewan.

Alberta won't enact legislation to recognize federal Truth and Reconciliation holiday

The Alberta government is not considering legislation to formally enshrine the recently created federal National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — Sept. 30 — as a statutory holiday.

Orange fabric cut in the shape of shirts is pinned to string during a vigil in Ottawa June 5, 2021 to honour the 215 children whose remains were believed to found at the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Residential Schools Vigil ottawa orange shirt

Orange fabric cut in the shape of shirts is pinned to string during a vigil in Ottawa June 5, 2021 to honour the 215 children whose remains were believed to found at the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. A new federal holiday, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, will be marked on Sept. 30. 

Residential day school survivor Ray Swan is comforted by his wife, Doreen Bunn, in May. The couple were at the Manitoba Legislature to grieve after hearing news from B.C. that what are believed to be the remains of children were discovered in Kamloops on the site of a former residential school. 

Manitoba schools to close Sept. 30 in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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