B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Murray Rankin, speaking at a ceremony marking the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Tk’emlúps Powwow Arbour Grounds. (Photo via Murray Rankin)
B.C.’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation is optimistic that National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will become a statutory holiday in the province.
Murray Rankin tells NL News it is likely a case of when and not if, comparing it to the Remembrance Day stat holiday.
“In this province, Nov. 11 is a statutory day but in some provinces, it is not,” he said. “We want to see if we can talk to the Indigenous leaders to see what their aspirations are. Should it be a day like Remembrance Day in this province? I think most people I’ve spoken to think that is the case.”
“And then secondly, what about the others in the non-profit sector and the business community. What would their thoughts be about doing that?”
One of the 94 calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Commission, the new statutory holiday which was announced back in June, is aimed as allowing Canadians to reflect on the country’s history of mistreatment of Indigenous people and the lasting intergenerational trauma on survivors and their descendants.
Federal government employees and those in federally regulated workplaces across Canada had the day off as did public sector employees in British Columbia.
As it is not a provincial holiday in B.C., all employers were not required to give employees a day off or stat pay. Still, schools and post-secondary institutions in the province were closed this year with many other public services open but operating at reduced levels.
“Some of [the people we’ve heard from] are saying ‘we’re going to talk about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations. We’re going to actually use the day to ensure that our workforce takes seriously the need to reflect’ while others are saying, ‘well, just another day where we can go and not work may not be what we want to achieve here’ which goes back to where I started,” Rankin added.
“I’d like to hear what Indigenous leadership thinks. How do we make sure that the aspirations of a true national Truth and Reconciliation Day are met? Our government is committed to consulting.”
Rankin is hoping have a decision made by this time next year.
