September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory day, and Government of Yukon offices, schools and courts will be closed. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the Survivors, families and communities impacted by residential schools in Canada and the continued intergenerational trauma faced by Indigenous communities across the country.
As a federal statutory day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation applies to employees of the federal government and federally regulated industries. This statutory day also applies to Government of Yukon employees and territorial government offices, schools and courts will be closed. Private sector employers can observe the day at their discretion.
From March 8 to April 30, 2022, the Government of Yukon conducted a public engagement on creating a new statutory day to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The survey also sought to understand the economic impact that a new statutory day might have on the local business community and economy.
- The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is #80 of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and was part of the Government of Canada’s Bill C-5, passed on June 3, 2021.
- Employees regulated by Yukon’s Employment Standards Act are currently not entitled to this statutory day or pay in lieu.
- Federal statutory holidays apply to federal employees, most federal crown corporations and federally regulated private sector workplaces such as air transportation, banks and telecommunications.
