Every Child Matters

 October 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an annual federal statutory holiday in Canada observed on September 30th to honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities, and to remember the children who never returned home.

Purpose and History

• Commemoration: The day recognizes the tragic history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian residential school system.

• Call to Action: It was established in 2021 (via Bill C-5) in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

• Orange Shirt Day: The date coincides with Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots movement inspired by survivor Phyllis Webstad, where people wear orange to symbolize that every child matters.

Closures: As a federal statutory holiday, federal government offices, banks, and postal services are closed, though provincial holiday status varies by provinces.