Six Provinces and Territories and Federal Government Have Already Taken This Important Step
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is joining the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and thousands of community members in calling on Scott Moe to formally declare September 30th, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a provincial statutory holiday.
Five years after the federal government established the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in response to Call to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, British Columbia, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, along with Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, have all taken steps to make the day a statutory holiday.
“This is our history and we have a responsibility to remember it. Truth and reconciliation cannot just be words. It requires meaningful action,” Beck said. “Saskatchewan should be leading by example, not falling behind.”
An estimated 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children attended residential schools across Canada. An estimated 4,000 died.
In 2021, Cowessess First Nation announced the identification of 751 potential unmarked burial sites at the former Marieval Indian Residential School, which operated from 1899 to 1997.
“Recognizing this day as a statutory holiday would acknowledge the harm done to Indigenous children and their families and allow workers the freedom to honour our ancestors who died and celebrate the resilience of those who survived,” said Leroy Laliberte, Shadow Minister for First Nations and Metis Relations.
“People need the time and space to participate in ceremonies, listen to survivors, learn the truth and reflect on what reconciliation requires of all of us.”
“Workers should not have to choose between showing up for work and taking part in these acts of reconciliation,” said Nathaniel Teed, Shadow Minister for Labour.
“Making this important day a statutory holiday would give people the time to participate and make reconciliation more than just a statement.”
Beck's team first called on the Sask. Party government to formally recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial statutory holiday in 2021.
Weedmark Lies While Continuing To Hide From Media And Saskatchewan Residents
REGINA – Embattled and out of touch Sask. Party MLA Kevin Weedmark is now flat out lying to his constituents by claiming he was exonerated in his growing conflict of interest scandal, when nothing could be further from the truth.
More Than $30,000 in Public Money Spent by Sask. Party MLAs Advertising in Their Own Colleague’s Newspaper
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is seeking immediate answers from Speaker Todd Goudy after learning that exemptions were granted allowing Sask. Party MLAs to spend taxpayer dollars advertising in newspapers owned by Sask. Party MLA Kevin Weedmark, despite Legislative Assembly directives restricting such expenditures.
Weedmark’s Decision To Hide Only Fuels Scandal, Public Outrage
REGINA – Today, Carla Beck’s team is laying bare every piece of evidence it has collected — so far — about the conduct of disgraced Sask. Party MLA Kevin Weedmark.
Moe Continues To Cover For MLA Amid Scandal, Widespread Outrage
REGINA – Today, Carla Beck’s team has sent a detailed, 21-page letter to the provincial Conflict of Interest Commissioner seeking a formal opinion on whether Sask. Party MLA Kevin Weedmark breached the Act on multiple fronts.