Toronto – September 10, 2025 – This September, members of UFCW Canada’s Indigenous Committee are sharing their stories of the vital importance of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, and why it should be a statutory holiday in all provinces.

In Part 1 of this series, UFCW Canada Indigenous Committee and UFCW Local 401 members Nate LeBlanc-Fortin and Ron Klassen share why the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is important.

“Truth reconciliation is not just a day. It’s a moment of action for all Canadians,” says Nate LeBlanc-Fortin “September 30th is a very important day for all people. And it should be a statutory holiday for all our workers, no matter what level of government you may work for.”

“September 30th is a day to reflect,” adds LeBlanc-Fortin. “It’s a day to remember. And it’s a day to teach and share our traditions and learn from each other. This just makes sense to me. And it should make sense to all of us.”

“People say you got to be able to forgive, to be able to heal. Well, you know what? I can forgive, but I’ll never forget,” says Ron Klassen. “[September 30] is a day that we need to reflect on our past, what has happened. We’re never going to correct all the wrongs but at least let’s make a start.”

Currently only the federal government, New Brunswick, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut recognize Truth and Reconciliation Day as a statutory holiday. The remaining provinces leave the decision over whether to grant the paid day of recognition and remembrance up to individual businesses. This means that while workers in the federal sector have paid time off on September 30, many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit workers across Canada are unable to get the day off or get statutory holiday pay.

All Indigenous workers across Canada should be able to join their community ceremonies, to reflect with friends and families and to have the time to heal as we all grapple with Canada’s dark colonial history. Survivors, families and communities have been irrevocably harmed by the residential school system.

You can help by putting pressure on your provincial government to take action on the promise of healing. Write to your provincial elected officials today.