No Orange Shirt Day stat in Manitoba this year: Stefanson Premier cites lack of consensus on Sept. 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day, concern for businesses; Indigenous leaders not impressed By: Carol Sanders Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 11, 2023 Last Modified: 8:13 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 11, 2023 Updates

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Manitoba’s premier is pointing to the need for more consultation with Indigenous leaders as the predominant reason for not declaring National Truth and Reconciliation Day a statutory holiday again this year.

Heather Stefanson said Tuesday that concerns over the plight of pandemic-affected businesses also factored in to her decision.

“It will be the same as last year in terms of the way it has been dealt with,” she said. Last year, Manitoba recognized Sept. 30, also known as Orange Shirt Day, by closing non-essential government services and offices and K-12 schools.

Although it has been more than a year since consultations began on how Manitoba should observe a day honouring Indian Residential School survivors, the Progressive Conservative government’s leader said there is no consensus.

“There isn’t necessarily agreement on what that day should look like,” Stefanson told reporters.

“There is a discrepancy over what Indigenous communities would like to see from that,” she said. “That should be coming from Indigenous communities themselves, and not from us as government.”

Indigenous leaders shot back Tuesday.

“We have made our position on this matter clear previously,” said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “If the Government of Manitoba can’t demonstrate the understanding of our history by closing businesses and recognizing this as a statutory holiday, then it’s clear that they just don’t get it.”

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said “it’s too bad” the province missed an opportunity for reconciliation in refusing to declare Orange Shirt Day a stat.

The government has been listening to Manitoba businesses, and is concerned about what another holiday on the calendar would cost them, Stefanson said.

“Certainly, when it comes to businesses, we’ve heard loud and clear they’ve been struggling,” she said. “We want to make sure that if they choose to close, they close on their own. We won’t be looking at closing them down.”

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce president and CEO Chuck Davidson said members have never told the province they could not manage an Orange Shirt Day stat this year.

“Businesses are challenged. There’s no question about that, but, there’s been no message from us to say we can’t do it this year,” Davidson said.

“Business will adapt, and some businesses will still make that decision to close their doors on that day and to recognize that because it’s important to their organizations.”

What businesses want and need most from government is a decision, he said.

“If you are going to move to do something, you know, make a decision one way or the other and say, ‘This is how we’re treating the day,’” he said.

Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said the signals his organization has been getting from businesses is that they’re also supportive of a provincial stat advancing reconciliation.

“From the thousands of people who come out to support our activities that honour the children who attended residential schools, it is clear there is strong support for this healing work.”

“From the thousands of people who come out to support our activities that honour the children who attended residential schools, it is clear there is strong support for this healing work.”–SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said it supports both an Orange Shirt Day stat and the premier’s decision to not declare it this year.

“The list of challenges facing business today seems to be growing exponentially,” said president and CEO Loren Remillard.

While a survey of chamber members last year found that seven out of 10 support a stat, they want to ensure it isn’t just a day off, but is used for learning, reflection and growth, he said.

Questions —including whether businesses would be required to give staff a day off in lieu when Sept. 30 falls on a weekend — have yet to be answered, he said.

Businesses are adjusting to what will amount to a 30 per cent increase in the provincial minimum wage over 12 months, making stat pay even more substantial, a statement from the Retail Council of Canada in Manitoba said.

Still, the council has a “sincere desire to support whatever those impacted by Canada’s historical wrongs feel is the best path forward,” it said, adding there was an assumption the government was facilitating such discussions.

Merrick said she hasn’t met with the province since she became AMC’s grand chief in October, and suggested the government has used the pandemic as an excuse not to meet with Indigenous people regarding the holiday.

The province asked its labour management review committee in March 2022 to consider whether Sept. 30 should be a statutory holiday. The panel recommended a day akin to Remembrance Day, with all non-essential businesses closed. It supported offering pay at time-and-a-half for people working Sept. 30, and no compensation for those with the day off.

Recognizing Sept. 30 as a stat for reflection and learning is among the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, said NDP Leader Wab Kinew.

“In order for every Canadian in Manitoba to participate, the provincial government has to make this a stat holiday,” he told reporters following question period, during which the Opposition accused the Tories of showing “their true colours.”

“Another year of delay just doesn’t make sense.”

In the house, Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes defended his government’s position.

“Reconciliation and remembrance of the lives affected is important 365 days a year and cannot be relegated to just one day,” he told the chamber.

Last month, the government voted in favour of NDP MLA Ian Bushie’s Bill 203 (Orange Shirt Day Statutory Holiday Act). It proposes that Sept. 30 be listed as a general holiday in Manitoba’s Employment Standards Code, alongside New Year’s Day, Louis Riel Day, Canada Day and others. The bill passed second reading with Tory support, but the government has yet to call it to a committee for public hearings before it can become law.

“Reconciliation and remembrance of the lives affected is important 365 days a year and cannot be relegated to just one day.”–Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes

Bushie asked government to commit to passing the bill by June 1, when the house rises for the summer, so Manitoba could recognize Sept. 30 this year as a statutory holiday. The premier’s comments Tuesday indicate that won’t happen.

“It’s very clear premier Stefanson is just hiding from the issue,” Kinew said.

“There may be implementation questions — any of which could be quickly resolved by a government that would be willing to listen to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action.”

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said it’s not something MLAs should be arguing about.

“For whatever reason, the PCs are not offering any good reason for not making this a stat holiday,” he said.

— With files from Kevin Rollason and Gabrielle Piché