Legislation is expected to come into force on August 3, 2021 establishing September 30 as a national holiday: the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This holiday is a response to action number 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call of action, which calls on the federal government in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples to establish an annual holiday to commemorate the history of residential schools and honour all persons deeply impacted: the survivors, their families and their communities.
Currently, the new holiday will only impact federally regulated employees. Some federal industries impacted by this holiday include those working in air transportation, banking, First Nations band councils, federal Crown Corporations (ex: Canada Post), radio and television broadcasting, road transportation and telecommunications. These employees will be entitled to paid time off for the holiday, just as any other statutory holiday.
The B.C. Employment Standards Act has not yet been amended to reflect this day as a holiday for provincially regulated employees.