What does Truth and Reconciliation Day mean to you? – Part 3

Toronto – September 22, 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 3 of this series, UFCW Indigenous Committee and Local 1518 member Christine Holowka shares why the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation needs to be a statutory holiday across the country.

[September 30th] is so important for workers everywhere that we make this a day of recognition and remembrance for the whole nation. We've been successful here in British Columbia [where it is a stat holiday]," says Holowka. "We are challenging and lobbying all the governments who haven't made September 30th a statutory day of recognition and remembrance. It's very important for this land, for this country, especially now, that we come together on such an important issue."

"I'm asking you to go to your local, go to your union, go to your employer, and see how you feel about this. This is an important day," she adds. "We're halfway there with how many provinces have done it. For true healing, we need to have them all. We'll stand with you just to let us know where you are, and we're there for you."

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.

Visit Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

Watch Christine Holowka’s video below.