Update: the motion passed at Council. Original story follows.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath wants to make the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day a municipal holiday in Hamilton, beginning in 2025.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day was created as a federal holiday in 2021, and is observed each year on September 30.
It is not a provincial holiday in Ontario.
The Mayor is moving a walk-on motion at the September 25 Council meeting to have City staff prepare the necessary policies and procedures to close at least some civic facilities and grant all municipal employees a paid vacation day.
In 2021, after the federal government created the holiday, Mayor Fred Eisenberger called a secret emergency meeting of the Hamilton Police Services Board to grant the holiday to the Police Service employees.
Many Ontario municipalities grant the holiday to their employees and close their administrative offices on September 30.
The City Council meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.
This motion will be near the end of the meeting. The meeting will be streamed on YouTube.
Production Details v. 1.1.0 Published: September 24, 2024 Last updated: September 25, 2024 Author: Joey Coleman Update Record v. 1.0.0 original version v. 1.1.0 updated to note the motion passed.
The individuals that did vote for her did so with the intent she would “run” the city. Not shut it down!!! Property taxes are already too high, now residents are pay for more municipal holidays?
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day in Hamilton is a great idea! The more recognition our aboriginal cultures get the better! This is only one step towards this recognition! I would like our aboriginal cultures to weigh in on this as their opinion when all is said and done is the only one that matters on this issue ! Thank you, Rolfe