CUPE Saskatchewan is backing new private members legislation that would make the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a public holiday in Saskatchewan.
Unlike other western provinces which have recognized September 30 as a statutory holiday, the Government of Saskatchewan has failed to take steps to make this holiday available to all so residents can reflect on the lasting impacts of residential schools in communities across Saskatchewan.
“Despite other provinces taking meaningful steps to create time and space for workers to learn and heal from lessons of the past, Saskatchewan remains an outlier in failing to designate this important day a statutory holiday for all”, said CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson. “It’s not too late to do the right thing, Scott Moe’s government can support this bill, enshrine it in law, and build a path forward for reconciliation in Saskatchewan.”
The new private members bill was introduced by Leroy Laliberte, the Official Opposition Shadow Minister for First Nation and Métis Relations and MLA for Athabasca. The bill would amend the Saskatchewan Employment Act to make September 30 a statutory holiday for all Saskatchewan workers, not just those working in federally regulated workplaces.