To mark the legacy of the residential school system and to fulfill a recommendation made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Liberal government will declare a federal statutory holiday.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the department is working with Indigenous peoples to determine the best date.
Simon Ross, the minister’s press secretary, they have committed including a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the survivors of residential schools.
Two days are currently under consideration: June 21, which is National Indigenous Peoples Day, and September 30, which is named “Orange Shirt Day.”
Constitutionally, it’s up to the provinces and territories to determine which statutory holidays exist in their jurisdictions, but there would be no legal obligation for them to do so.