A Quick Employer’s Guide to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR)?

NDTR is a federal statutory holiday. One of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action was to establish a holiday so that the public commemorates the effect of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities. The federal government designated September 30 as a federal holiday in 2021, and this year marks its third anniversary.  It is also called Orange Shirt Day.

Why is it also called Orange Shirt Day and why do people often wear orange?

When residential school survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad was six, her grandmother bought her a new orange shirt to wear on her first day of school. But at St. Joseph Mission Residential School she was stripped of her clothes including her new, orange shirt. The school never returned her orange shirt. So the wearing of orange shirts, particularly on September 30, became a symbol of the suffering of Indigenous children and their families in the residential school system.

Orange Shirt Day is in many ways NDTR’s predecessor, having first been established as an observance in 2013. It was also held on September 30, and was part of an effort to promote awareness of the residential school system’s impact on Indigenous communities.

Is NDTR a statutory holiday for everyone in Canada?

No.  NDTR is a statutory holiday for federal employees who are regulated by the Canada Labour Code. It is also a general statutory holiday in British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, and for provincial employees of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

So Ontario employers that are not federally regulated do not have to provide a paid day off for their employees. But if they wish to, they may.

What are things Ontario employers can do on NDTR?

Here are some tips on commemorating NDTR:

• Recognize the day as NDTR or Orange Shirt Day in shared calendars. Employers may wish to send a short email or message about the day in anticipation of September 30.
• Use the opportunity to educate employees about residential schools. Any initiative need not be onerous and can range from viewing a video about the schools to having group discussions. 
• Encourage the wearing of orange shirts that day. 
• Consider having a moment of silence.
• Understand that not everyone deals with the day the same way. So be flexible. Ensure employees are aware of any available employment assistance programs and benefits.

As we approach September 30, let us all take the time to reflect on the significance of NDTR, embracing the opportunity to educate ourselves and support Indigenous communities in meaningful ways.