The British Columbia government has introduced legislation to make Sept. 30 a paid statutory holiday marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Labour Minister Harry Bains introduced a bill in the legislature today, saying the holiday will be observed this September and every Sept. 30 afterwards.

He says the B.C. holiday follows the federal government’s decision in 2021 to declare Sept. 30 a national truth and reconciliation holiday for its workers.

Bains told the legislature the government’s decision on the holiday is in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action No. 80, which requested the federal government establish a holiday to honour residential school survivors, their families and communities.

If the legislation passes, B.C. will join Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, and Canada as jurisdictions that have already designated Sept. 30 as a statutory holiday.

Bains says the move by the B.C. government will honour the strength and resilience of residential school survivors and remember the children who never came home.

“Enshrining National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in B.C. law will give more people the chance to commemorate the history and legacy of the residential school system on September 30 each year,” a government statement said.  “Having a provincial statutory holiday means eligible B.C. workers will be able to observe September 30 with a paid day off, or receive payment at premium rates if required to work.”

“More British Columbians will be able to get involved in advancing reconciliation by participating in local commemoration or education events, having important conversations with their families, friends and communities, and finding meaningful ways to learn more about our shared history.”

Last Sept., B.C.’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Murray Rankin, told NL News it was likely a case of when and not if Sept. 30 would be designated as a provincial stat holiday, comparing it to the Remembrance Day stat.

“We don’t take for granted that they would want a day, and we want to make sure what they think should happen. That conversation is going on,” Rankin said. “As well, we are talking with employers groups and workers groups to see what they think should happen, that work is ongoing.”

“I am sure over the next year we’ll have some announcements to make about the work that follows that consultation.”

– With Files from The Canadian Press