Canada's Getting A New Holiday Dedicated To Truth & Reconciliation

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday night that a bill to create a new holiday in Canada dedicated to truth and reconciliation will receive royal assent, cementing it into law.

Trudeau said his party introduced legislation to create the "National Day for Truth and Reconciliation" to "commemorate the legacy of residential schools." 

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society Emergency Crisis Line is available across Canada 24/7. Those who may need support can call 1-866-925-4419.

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The holiday will take place on September 30, a date already known as Orange Shirt Day, "an annual day to recognize and raise awareness about the residential school system in Canada, join together in the spirit of reconciliation, and honour the experiences of Indigenous Peoples," according to UBC.

The announcement of the new holiday comes after the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

The Trudeau government is also facing criticism for actions towards residential school survivors.  

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has said Trudeau "refused to commit" to end his government's appeal of a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling "that ordered billions of dollars to be paid to Indigenous children and families who were separated by the child welfare system," according to Narcity.