Nunavut Takes First Steps To Adding A New Statutory Holiday

Consultations on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Department of Justice is looking to introduce new legislation to make the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a statutory holiday in Nunavut, under the Labour Standards Act.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, honours the memory of children who died while attending residential schools for Indigenous peoples throughout Canada and honours survivors, their families and communities affected by the legacy of residential schools.

The Department of Justice is seeking feedback from Nunavut registered businesses and Societies on the following:

Are you or your organization supportive of having the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday under the Labour Standards Act? If not, what are your reasons for not supporting this initiative?
Do you expect any negative effects to your organization if the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a statutory holiday? If yes, would you be able to estimate of what the effect(s) will be?
Do you expect the holiday will affect your organization financially?

Given the significance of Truth and Reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous community, many within the country still do not recognize the day nor wanted to see it become a national holiday. It is assumed it will be the will of the people of the North, but it is prudent the government does its due diligence and seek feedback from the community.

Please send feedback to TRHolidayConsultations@gov.nu.ca or call 867-975-6170. The deadline to provide feedback is April 8, 2022.