Bill 221, Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools Act, 2024

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims September 30 in each year as the Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools.

The Bill also makes amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Legislation Act, 2006 and the Retail Business Holidays Act to make the Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools a holiday for provincial purposes.

Bill 221 2024

An Act to proclaim the Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools and to amend various statutes to establish the Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools as a provincial holiday

Preamble

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for the establishment, as a statutory holiday, of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

The Parliament of Canada responded to that call by passing legislation to create a holiday on September 30th of each year called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Provincial legislation is required to make September 30th, to be called the Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools, a holiday for provincial purposes.

Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools

1 September 30 in each year is proclaimed as the Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools.

Related Amendments

Employment Standards Act, 2000

2 The definition of “public holiday” in subsection 1 (1) of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 is amended by adding the following paragraph:

5.1  Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools.

Legislation Act, 2006

3 Subsection 88 (2) of the Legislation Act, 2006 is amended by adding the following paragraph:

7.1  Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools.

Retail Business Holidays Act

4 The definition of “holiday” in subsection 1 (1) of the Retail Business Holidays Act is amended by adding the following clause:

(e.1) Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools,

Commencement and Short Title

Commencement

5 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

6 The short title of this Act is the Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools Act, 2024.