A new statutory holiday

The federal government plans to declare a national statutory holiday to remind Canadians of the legacy of Indian residential schools. While its commitment to reconciliation is welcome, the government has to convince Canadians a holiday would help.

Canada has five national statutory holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day and Christmas Day. The provinces regulate other holidays.

How many Canadians will spend Sept. 3 this year contemplating or honouring the contributions of labour to our society? How many will pass Good Friday in prayer and reflection on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Many will, but many will be in the mall.

Statutory holidays, regardless of their original purpose, have largely become shopping days.

The government is negotiating with First Nations leaders about the best date for the new holiday. It should spend much more time talking to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people about how a holiday would make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

We know there are policies that would make a difference to First Nations, such as ensuring reserves have clean drinking water. Would a holiday do anything to get us closer to those goals?

Sadly, it is all too likely that the idea of reconciliation would get lost in holiday frivolity. If any good is to come from it, the government has to make this holiday more meaningful than all the others — in its celebration as well as its intent.