Bill C-5 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.

This enactment amends certain Acts to add a new holiday, namely, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is observed on September 30.

Similar bills

C-369 (42nd Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-5s:

C-5 (2021) Law An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

C-5 (2020) An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code

C-5 (2016) An Act to repeal Division 20 of Part 3 of the Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1

C-5 (2013) Law Offshore Health and Safety Act

Votes

Nov. 2, 2020 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-5 amends existing acts to establish September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a statutory holiday to honour residential school survivors.

Liberal

Establish national truth and reconciliation day: The bill establishes a federal statutory holiday on September 30, responding to TRC Call to Action 80 to honour survivors and commemorate residential schools.
Honour survivors and their families: The day is intended to publicly honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities, acknowledging their pain and resilience.
Promote education and reflection: The holiday provides an opportunity for all Canadians to learn about the history and legacy of residential schools as a vital part of reconciliation.
Part of broader reconciliation efforts: While significant, the bill is one step in the government's ongoing commitment to implementing TRC calls and addressing systemic issues.

Conservative

Avoid just another holiday: Members fear the day could become just another holiday, rather than a meaningful commemoration to remember the atrocities and ensure they never happen again.
Education is critical: Conservatives stress that education about residential schools is critical for all Canadians, especially adults, and question if the bill adequately addresses this need.
Resources needed for education: Members are concerned the bill puts the onus on Indigenous people to educate Canadians without providing sufficient resources for this crucial task.
Address ongoing issues: True reconciliation requires addressing current challenges like boil water advisories, poverty, and the lasting impacts of residential schools, not just symbolic actions.

NDP

Supports national day for truth and reconciliation: The NDP supports Bill C-5 to establish September 30th as a statutory National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, recognizing Orange Shirt Day.
Acknowledge history and trauma: The day is needed for all Canadians to recognize the history of residential schools, the trauma experienced by children and families, and the resilience of indigenous communities.
Need for education and resources: Sufficient resources and strategic education initiatives are necessary for Canadians to understand indigenous history and the ongoing impacts of colonialism and systemic racism.
Reconciliation requires justice and action: Reconciliation is a Canadian responsibility that must move beyond rhetoric and involve concrete action and justice to address ongoing human rights violations and systemic issues.

Bloc

Supports bill C-5: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-5 in principle and will vote for it as part of the reconciliation process with Indigenous peoples.
Responds to TRC call: The bill responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 80 by creating a day to honour survivors and ensure public commemoration.
A meaningful step: Members view the bill as a meaningful step and a strong symbol, while acknowledging that much more is needed for true reconciliation.

Green

Supports bill C-5: The Green Party member supports Bill C-5 and will vote in favour, recognizing it includes a national memorial holiday recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Concerns about holiday's impact: The party is concerned the holiday, especially if only for federal employees, might lose momentum for awareness and diminish the power of the intent of a national day.
Calls for broader reconciliation efforts: The party questions if the bill is a truly meaningful act of reconciliation, arguing the government often avoids harder calls to action related to health and education outcomes.
Advocates for continued investment: The party emphasizes the government's continuing responsibility to support educational initiatives and fund events and activities surrounding the new national holiday.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?