Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trudeau comments on Orange Shirt Day holiday

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Apr, 2023 12:49 PM
  • Trudeau comments on Orange Shirt Day holiday

WINNIPEG - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is encouraging provinces and territories to step up reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples but stopped short of saying they should make the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, commonly called Orange Shirt Day, a statutory holiday.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson recently announced her Progressive Conservative government would not be making that day a provincial statutory holiday this year, citing the need for ongoing consultations.

The federal government made the day a statutory holiday for its workers and federally regulated workplaces in 2021.

The decision to do so is in response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action.

The prime minister said the federal government has moved forward on "living up and fulfilling" that call.

"That is a day that Indigenous Peoples wanted to be marking truth and reconciliation, and all the challenges and difficulties that came from that," Trudeau said Wednesday at an event in Winnipeg promoting his government's new budget.

"(The federal government) certainly hopes that provinces would realize their responsibility in the path of reconciliation and take on the actions laid out in the calls to action, but those are obviously decisions for the provinces to make."

Orange Shirt Day falls on Sept. 30. It was established in honour of the experience of Phyllis Webstab, whose gift of clothing from her grandmother was taken away on Webstad's first day at a residential school.

The Manitoba government closed non-essential offices and services the past two years on Sept. 30, giving most of its workers the day off. Schools from kindergarten to Grade 12 also closed. Stefanson has said that will continue this year.

The premier also cited the vulnerability of businesses still recovering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in her decision not to make the day a statutory holiday this year.

The organization responsible for advocating for First Nations in Manitoba expressed its frustration following the province's decision.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said in a statement Wednesday that the province has missed a key opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to healing and recognizing First Nations people.

Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said the Manitoba government has not consulted with her on the issue in the last six months.

Some businesses and organizations have chosen to honour the day.

"I would like to take this opportunity to recognize all businesses, private sector establishments and organizations that have chosen to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by closing their operations and giving their employees the opportunity to reflect on the significance of this day and how it affects First Nations peoples," Merrick said.

Some provinces and territories have followed the federal government.

Trudeau commended efforts that are in place or underway, and called for provinces and territories that are lagging to move forward more seriously on reconciliation work.

"There are some provinces that have not moved forward as quickly or strongly or as forcefully on the path of reconciliation as either the federal government has or other provinces have, and I would certainly like to see more provinces, all provinces do more on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples," he said.

The prime minister was scheduled later in the day to celebrate Passover with members of the Jewish community and meet with trade workers and apprentices.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. pharmacist suspended for faked vaccine

B.C. pharmacist suspended for faked vaccine
The College of Pharmacists of BC says on a post on its website that its inquiry committee has suspended Aftabahmed Shaikh for 30 days and placed a permanent letter of reprimand on his file. The college says its inquiry also found that Shaikh altered the pharmacy's software to make his records more difficult to find.

B.C. pharmacist suspended for faked vaccine

Hate crime team joins Kelowna, B.C., assault probe

Hate crime team joins Kelowna, B.C., assault probe
Police say a suspect group has been identified, but no arrests have been made. The reason for the attack and the details linked to it are still being determined and the 21-year-old student is being supported by the Mounties' victim services unit.

Hate crime team joins Kelowna, B.C., assault probe

Surrey morning crash results in road closures in the area of 152nd St

Surrey morning crash results in road closures in the area of 152nd St
Due to the location of the collision and the subsequent downed power line, 64th avenue is closed from 152nd street to 146th street. 148th street is closed from 68th avenue to 62nd avenue. Motorists are asked to avoid the area and find a different route for their morning commute.  

Surrey morning crash results in road closures in the area of 152nd St

Funeral next week for slain Edmonton officers

Funeral next week for slain Edmonton officers
Police say a regimental funeral has been scheduled for two Edmonton officers who were shot and killed in the line of duty last week. The funeral for Travis Jordan, who was 35, and Brett Ryan, 30, is to be held March 27 at Rogers Place, the home arena for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League.

Funeral next week for slain Edmonton officers

B.C. doctor faces second sex assault charge

B.C. doctor faces second sex assault charge
Police in Delta, B.C., say Dr. Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, who operated a pain clinic in that community before relocating it to neighbouring Surrey, faces another charge of sexual assault over an alleged incident in 2019.

B.C. doctor faces second sex assault charge

Nexus traveller program to resume by April 24

Nexus traveller program to resume by April 24
The Canada Border Services Agency says enrolment centres will reopen for applicant sit-downs at the Halifax and Winnipeg airports on March 27, followed by a staggered reopening at the six other airports where customs preclearance is an option, including the final two in Toronto and Ottawa on April 24.

Nexus traveller program to resume by April 24