On August 3, 2021, September 30 was officially declared the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. As discussed in a previous post, this holiday is intended to commemorate the history of residential schools and honour all persons who were deeply impacted.
Legally, this new holiday currently only entitles federally regulated employees to paid time off, as the B.C. Employment Standards Act has not yet been amended to reflect this day as a holiday for provincially regulated employees (aka our Fulton team). However, our firm knows we need to take present action in support of lasting reconciliation – therefore, we are choosing to close our office on September 30th, to give our people additional time to reflect on the legacy of the residential schools, and to honour the survivors, their families and their communities.
We know that words alone are not a sufficient response to this history, and practical support is vital. We care deeply about our entire community, and we encourage everyone to continue to explore the recommended resources compiled by Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Chief, Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir:
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- Canada’s Residential Schools: Missing Children and Unmarked Burials
- How to support Tḱemlúps te Secwepemc (KIB)
If you require our legal services on September 30, we’d ask that you contact our office to make arrangements in advance so we may continue to provide you with exceptional service.
By listening to and learning from the lived experiences and wisdom of our Indigenous neighbors today, we believe we can educate ourselves for an equal and just tomorrow – one that is inclusive and supportive of all.