Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada, officially called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation , is observed every year on September 30.

What is Truth and Reconciliation Day?

  • It is a national day of remembrance for Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools, including those who never returned home, and the Survivors, their families, and communities.
  • The date aligns with Orange Shirt Day , a grassroots movement started to honour the experiences of residential school Survivors and the story behind the “Every Child Matters” message.

When is it in Canada?

  • The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30 every year across Canada.
  • It is a federal statutory holiday , created in 2021 by Bill C‑5, meaning it applies to federally regulated workplaces (like federal public service and federally regulated industries) even though observance can vary by province and territory.

Why September 30?

  • September 30 was chosen because it was already being marked as Orange Shirt Day , a time when Survivors and communities were sharing stories about children taken to residential schools and the lasting trauma.
  • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 80 specifically urged the federal government to create a statutory holiday to honour Survivors and ensure public commemoration remains a vital part of reconciliation.

How is the day observed?

  • Many people wear orange shirts to show solidarity and to remember that “Every Child Matters.”
  • Governments, schools, and organizations often:
    • Host educational events on residential schools and Indigenous history
    • Lower flags or light buildings in orange
    • Share resources and invite Indigenous speakers and Elders to lead learning and reflection.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.