Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30
Monday, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) in Canada, an important day to honour the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. NDTR became a federal statutory holiday in 2021.
In addition to being one of the 94 calls to action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offers everyone in Canada an essential opportunity to learn about and reflect on the history and ongoing legacy of colonialism, as well as to commit themselves to taking concrete steps toward equity and healing.
September 30, 2022 - why was this NDTR important for our members?
The Ontario Public Service (OPS) Employer recognized NDTR in 2021, but then chose to recognize September 30, 2022 as a standard workday. The OPS Employer made this decision, in spite of the fact that this special holiday was to be observed each year on the same day, and was established as a statutory holiday in direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action No. 80.
“It is integral for our members, like the rest of the country, have September 30 to focus on education and action in any way they can about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,” said President Dave Bulmer. “AMAPCEO and five other bargaining agents made this clear when we wrote to the Secretary of Cabinet back in August 2022—that the OPS Employer must honour collective agreements that include language entitling our members to statutory holidays and any other special holidays.”
AMAPCEO led five OPS employee unions in filing a formal policy dispute in September 2022 arguing that respective Employers must honour AMAPCEO collective agreements, pointing specifically to entitling members to statutory holiday and any other special holidays. In July 2023, an arbitrator found in favour of AMAPCEO. AMAPCEO and the OPS Employer are now in the process of negotiating a settlement.
A reminder about September 30 and your collective agreement
AMAPCEO members in the following units have the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30 as a paid holiday in their collective agreement:
- Financial Services Authority of Ontario
- Invest Ontario
- Ontario Arts Council
- Ontario Health – Quality Unit
- Ontario Ombudsman – Children & Youth Unit
- Ontario Ombudsman – French Language Services Unit
- Ontario Public Service
- Public Health Ontario
- Supply Ontario
- Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
Take this opportunity to learn more about NDTR through events leading up to September 30.