REGINA, Sask. — Saskatchewan's Opposition New Democrats have introduced a private member's bill that would make Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a provincial statutory holiday.
The bill, introduced by Athabasca MLA Leroy Laliberte, would recognize the day as a public holiday under The Saskatchewan Employment Act.
The day is already a statutory holiday for federally regulated workers and is recognized by several provinces and territories, Opposition Leader Carla Beck said at a news conference Monday.
“I believe it's time for Saskatchewan to also join those provinces and territories,” said Beck. “Truth and Reconciliation is about acknowledging the painful legacy of residential schools in this country and in this province. It's also about recognizing the histories, the experiences, the hardship and discrimination Indigenous people have endured and the continued harms both here in Canada and in this province.”
Beck said that by formally recognizing the day, “we would take an important step forward towards fostering awareness, respect and meaningful reconciliation for future generations. This bill would ensure that people actually have the time, they have the opportunity to listen, to learn from those stories and to reflect and work on the path forward.”
Laliberte said Saskatchewan has “a unique responsibility towards truth and reconciliation” as home to significant First Nations and Métis populations, many of whom were directly impacted by the residential school system.
“Because this history is deeply connected to our province, Saskatchewanians should be leading in reconciliation and not lagging behind. Sept. 30 is not about dwelling on the past. It is about understanding how the past continues to affect Indigenous people today and how we can build stronger relationships moving forward.”
The NDP bill has received support from the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL).
SFL president Marilynne MacFarlane noted at the news conference that the organization has written to the premier's office for several years, “asking that this day be recognized within the province of Saskatchewan. And each year we get a response from the Minister of Labour saying that the government feels that they are doing ample in supporting the path of truth and reconciliation.”
“Saskatchewan, as was mentioned before, now lags behind all other western provinces in creating this holiday. That includes B.C., Manitoba and Alberta. We would hope that our calls for action and reconciliation would demonstrate how serious the approximate 100,000 members of the affiliates of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour feel about reconciliation.”
The Opposition has called for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to be recognized as a statutory holiday in Saskatchewan since 2021.
In response to the issue during question period, Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz indicated the province would not move forward with making the day a statutory holiday.
Schmalz said recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday would not necessarily lead to meaningful action.
He pointed to Manitoba, where Remembrance Day is not a general statutory holiday, arguing that this does not prevent residents from honouring veterans. He said the same principle applies to Truth and Reconciliation Day in Saskatchewan and that the government would continue its reconciliation efforts.
