NDP to make National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a stat holiday

QUEEN'S PARK — Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Official Opposition New Democrats, and NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations, released the following statement:

"The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be a stat holiday in Ontario when the NDP forms government. Sept. 30 will be held as a solemn and significant day for reflection, for education and, most importantly, a day for concrete commitments and action towards equity and justice for Indigenous people.

Declaring Sept. 30 a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is one of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The day commemorates the tragic genocidal legacy of residential schools in Canada, and the continuing harm. It’s shameful that the Doug Ford government is refusing the solemn duty to remember, to learn, and to work for change.

For all Ontarians, making Sept. 30 a stat holiday is a critical move forward in the difficult work that needs to be done to revive reconciliation.”

The Ontario NDP Caucus has already confirmed for all its staff that the day will be a paid day off."