The government of Alberta said it is not planning to pass legislation to recognize the recently established National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, 30th of September, as a formal event.
Rather, the government said it will let provincially regulated industries decided whether they would wish let workers have a holiday on that date, the indigenous relations ministry stated through its press secretary last Wednesday.
Alberta’s Union of Provincial Employees said it is in the process of filling complaints against a number of employers, including the Gaming and Liquor Commission and Health Services.
The union noted that the AGLC and the AHS have refused to honor a clause embedded in a collective deal that they agreed would included the Truth and Reconciliation holiday.
Through an email, the AHS said it will undertake a review to determine whether it is required to recognize the holiday.
The AGLC said it needs time understand how the new statutory holiday works, as many other employers would.
The indigenous relation ministry, the AGLC and the AHS all said they are looking for ways to make the holiday work.
The holiday is meant to honor kids who were forced to attended residential schools.
