NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION TAKING PLACE SEPT 30 – SUPPORT AND CLOSURES
As part of Canada’s work to achieve reconciliation with indigenous peoples, the Government of Canada has established a new annual statutory holiday for federal workers, namely the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It will take place on September 30 each year, starting this month in 2021.
Why the new holiday?
The federal holiday implements Call to Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The holiday is to commemorate the tragic and painful history and legacy of residential schools and their survivors, as well as their families and communities. In accordance with the Commission’s recommendation, the new holiday coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which has been observed by many people in the indigenous community since 2013.
CFAA supports the creation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as the goal of reconciliation with the First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.
Practicalities of the new holiday
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be observed by federal workers and employees in federally regulated businesses. Among other businesses, banks will be closed. Some unionized employees outside of federal regulation may have federal holidays off, depending on their collective agreement.
Some provinces are closing their rental tribunals and government offices to mark the day, or to provide information and an opportunity for reflection. Some provinces are closing their schools. Rental housing providers would be well advised to check what will be open and what will be closed on September 30, where they operate.
Just as with Remembrance Day, it is up to private employers to decide whether to designate the holiday a vacation day for their employees. Alternately, employers can allow their employees to take time off, with or without pay, to take part in local commemorative activities, which may take place at different times in different locations.
CFAA’s positions on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Besides supporting the new day of commemoration, CFAA also supports Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), through our EDI Committee and through the creation of CFAA’s EDI policy statement, which is available on CFAA’s website in the section Code of Ethics.
On a complimentary basis, you are invited to watch a re-play of CFAA’s EDI Presentation which took place on June 17. You can watch that at any time, at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0wbnnz893o2pga9/AAAQsSp3rdRJyRX9nGZ6JXgGa?dl=0. The password is VCEDI2021.The Presentation explains why Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is important for the rental housing industry.
In the coming months, CFAA expects to host one or more additional presentations to discuss Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and how they can best be enhanced in the rental housing sector.
Story by: John Dickie, CFAA President
