Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn has announced the Yukon plans to mark September 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as a statutory day starting in 2023 to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada. The Government of Yukon will table amendments to the Employment Standards Act in the spring of 2023.
Last month the Government of Yukon published a What We Heard report following a public engagement on creating a new statutory day to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Overall, there was strong support for a new statutory day by 66 per cent of all respondents. Support for a new statutory day was stronger from non-employers than employers. Both groups noted that a statutory day by itself is not a meaningful reconciliation action without ongoing public education, awareness campaigns, special events and programs.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is one of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
