New federal bill would make Sept. 30 a statutory holiday for Indigenous reconciliation

The House of Commons heritage committee has approved a measure to make September 30th " National Truth and Reconciliation Day" which would focus on reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians.

Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault said the government wants the annual federal holiday to be about honouring survivors, families, and Indigenous communities in Canada.

Currently Sept 30th is already used as an informal occasion to commemorate the experiences of residential-school students, called Orange Shirt Day.

It’s called that in memory of a Shiny new Orange Shirt,  then-six-year-old Phyllis Webstad had taken from her on her first day at a residential school in 1973.

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Members have been meeting for the past few months to discuss the bill and hear from survivors and Indigenous leaders.

The bill has yet to go to the Commons for a final vote.