National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada: Is it Paid or Unpaid?

In Canada, there is a day to honour Survivors of residential schools and the children who never returned home. This day reminds us that commemoration and learning are part of real change.

Whether you attend a gathering, wear orange, or spend time learning, each step helps support a path toward reconciliation. Find out more about how this day is recognized across different provinces and territories in the article below.

What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada?

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada happens annually on September 30. It is a federal statutory holiday to honour the 150,000 Indigenous children forced to attend residential schools between 1867 and 1996. It responds directly to Call to Action #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Here are the dates and days of the week for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation from 2025 to 2030:

Source: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – timeanddate.com

The date marks when many children were forcibly removed from their families. This made it particularly meaningful for survivors and their descendants who continue experiencing impacts through language loss, family separation, and cultural disconnection.

Is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a Paid Holiday?

The answer is not a simple yes or no; your holiday entitlement for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation depends on your workplace location, employer type, and specific provincial labour codes.

Federal employees and workers in federally regulated industries receive September 30 as a paid statutory holiday. However, provincial and territorial governments determine holiday status for their jurisdictions. 

The table below will show the current National Day for Truth and Reconciliation holiday designations across all Canadian jurisdictions:

Source: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – is it a paid holiday? – cfib-fcei.ca

So, only BC, PEI, Yukon, NWT, and the federal mandate paid time off for all covered employees, while Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland limit observance to government workers. The remaining provinces leave the recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation entirely to employer discretion.

Employer Responsibilities for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Federally regulated businesses, including banks, telecommunications, transportation, and Indigenous governments, must provide statutory holiday benefits. At the same time, provincial employers follow their jurisdiction’s designation.

Employers in statutory holiday jurisdictions must meet 4 key legal requirements:

• Holiday pay calculations: Provide regular wages for the day off based on average daily earnings over the preceding four weeks.
• Premium pay for work: Pay minimum time-and-a-half for hours worked September 30, with some provinces requiring double-time or an additional day off.
• Advance notice requirements: Post schedules confirming statutory holiday status at least two weeks prior. The document shows premium pay arrangements and any employee agreements to work during the holiday.
• Record-keeping compliance: Maintain payroll records that show holiday pay calculations, premium payments for workers, and employee acknowledgments of voluntary work arrangements to facilitate potential labour standards audits.

On the other hand, employers in non-statutory provinces can choose from 4 approaches to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

• Full paid holiday: Demonstrate leadership in reconciliation while potentially attracting talent.
• Voluntary time off: Permit unpaid leave or schedule flexibility for employees choosing to attend community events or personal reflection.
• Floating holiday option: Add it to personal days or cultural leave banks.
• Educational programming: Host speakers, workshops, or documentary screenings during work hours.

With suitable policies, employers can enhance recruitment, especially of younger workers who care about social responsibility. They can also support Indigenous employees who may feel more emotional during this time.

How Should You Participate in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?

A meaningful participation on September 30 requires more than symbolic gestures; it requires sustained action. It should support Indigenous communities and address systemic inequities. 

This means you should attend Indigenous-led events rather than creating separate commemorations. Or, purchasing orange shirts from Indigenous vendors rather than mass retailers. And, contributing to Indigenous organizations that work on language revitalization, cultural preservation, or survivor support, rather than general charities.

Across Canada, 4 Communities host public National Day for Truth & Reconciliation events welcoming respectful participation:

• APTN will air a ceremony from Parliament Hill at 3 pm ET, featuring survivors and Indigenous artists sharing stories and music.
• Check the hashtag #NDTR on social media for events in your area. Indigenous friendship centres and cultural organizations host walks, vigils, and educational sessions. 
• The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers online programs, including survivor stories and resources for educators.
• Many communities lower flags to half-mast or host sacred fires. You can participate respectfully by following Indigenous protocols and maintaining appropriate solemnity.

Non-Indigenous Canadians can reflect on the seriousness of what this day commemorates by listening to Indigenous people, learning about the history of residential schools and their effects, and helping with reconciliation efforts.

Workplace Support Resources on the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation can bring up tough feelings for residential school survivors, their families, and Indigenous employees. Employers should let staff know about available resources, including culturally appropriate counselling for Indigenous employees. 

Here are 4 critical support services that operate 24/7:

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419 provides immediate emotional support and crisis intervention specifically for residential school survivors and intergenerational trauma.

Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 offers culturally appropriate counselling in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut for all Indigenous peoples experiencing distress.

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 supports youth processing difficult emotions or seeking information about residential schools and their impacts.

Employee Assistance Programs: Verify your workplace EAP includes Indigenous-specific counselling options and communicate availability prominently before September 30.

Beyond that, employers should also train managers to respond thoughtfully to employees who might be struggling. They should offer flexibility for Indigenous employees who may require modified duties or time off. At the same time, non-Indigenous staff should learn to participate in a way that respects and centers Indigenous experiences.

History of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created from grassroots efforts by Indigenous groups to recognize the history and effects of residential schools. It connects with Orange Shirt Day, which began in 2013.

Orange Shirt Day commemorates the experience of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school in 1973. This historic event symbolizes the loss of Indigenous identity. It was created by a community initiative led by Indigenous people to raise awareness about the effects of residential schools by encouraging people to wear orange shirts. 

Between 2008 and 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) collected stories from over 6,500 survivors, documenting the harm caused by these schools. The discovery of unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021 spurred the government to establish the holiday.

In June 2021, Parliament established the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a federal statutory holiday. September 30 was chosen to coincide with Orange Shirt Day. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation has broader goals for reconciliation, including legal recognition and changes in workplace policies based on TRC recommendations.

Source: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – gov.bc.ca

Why does National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Matter?

According to Statistics Canada, Indigenous peoples experience poverty rates 10.7% higher than non-Indigenous Canadians. 

Moreover, educational gaps persist, with only 56% of Inuit and 59.9% of Registered Indians on reserve having high school credentials compared to 90.7% of non-Indigenous Canadians. It is directly linked to residential school policies that devalued non-Indigenous knowledge systems and created intergenerational education trauma.

These statistics represent real families navigating systemic barriers created by colonial policies, which the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemorates.

When Indigenous children represent 52% of foster care cases despite comprising only 5% of Canada’s child population, we see residential school patterns perpetuated through child welfare systems that continue separating Indigenous families at disproportionate rates.

These realities underscore why September 30 is not just a day for remembering. It’s also about taking real steps toward reconciliation and tackling ongoing inequalities.

Source: A Compendium Report to the Department’s 2023 Annual Report to Parliament

Understanding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation matters is just one part of managing statutory holiday policies in Canadian workplaces. Discover how to handle all statutory holidays here:

• New Year
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Victoria Day
• Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
• Canada Day
• Civic Holiday
• Thanksgiving Day
• Remembrance Day
• Boxing Day

The bottom line

Across the country, people mark September 30 by gathering, learning, and reflecting. You can join national events, local ceremonies, or take time to read and listen. Show your support respectfully, and continue these efforts even after the day is over to help create change.

FAQs about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation