November 28th, 2024
November 28th, 2024
QUEEN’S PARK - The NDP critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations and Deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa is calling on the Ford government to designate September 30 as the Day of Reflection on Indian Residential Schools and to make it a statutory day. This would require amending three pieces of legislation, the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Legislation Act, 2006, and the Retail Business Holidays Act.
“The work of Truth and Reconciliation cannot fall on Indigenous people alone as it has for too long,” said Mamakwa. “It is past time for non-Indigenous people living on this land to step up, face the truth, and do the necessary work to seek justice and healing on the path to reconciliation. Creating a statutory Day of Reflection on Indian Residential Schools on September 30 of each year will offer an annual reminder and opportunity for the collective action required of non-Indigenous people in Ontario each and every day.”
This would be an important step in the journey toward truth, healing and reconciliation, and would be an opportunity to realize the intention of TRC Call to Action #80 within the provincial context. Call #80 recommends establishing:
“As a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
“Over the past few months, I have spoken with many Survivors and First Nations leaders about this idea, and I have received a strong show of support. I will be debating this Bill today knowing that Survivors are behind me and the impact will be meaningful.”
He also issued a message directly to the Premier and Cabinet: “To Premier Ford and this Government, I am asking you to support this Bill – not just today, but all the way through third reading and Royal Assent. With an election coming, we don’t have to let this Bill die in Committee or on the Order Paper. Let’s pass this Bill before the next provincial election, so it can be part of our legacy as the 43rd Parliament of Ontario.”
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