PAN received this information from the BC government –
As follow-up to the August 3rd announcement that the Province will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 as a day of commemoration, this will provide further clarity as to how the service delivery impacts of that announcement will be supported by provincial funders.
Regarding the recognition of September 30 as a public holiday, the Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat has advised employer associations of the following:
• The B.C. Government recognizes the importance of honouring a day for Truth and Reconciliation. As such, government has advised all provincial public sector employers that they should recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th as a holiday for this year on a without prejudice basis for all employees who are normally entitled to provincial and federal holidays. It should be noted that recognizing September 30th this year is an interim measure while the Province begins to engage with Indigenous partners and the business and labour communities to determine the most appropriate way to commemorate this day going forward. This direction will ensure consistency across B.C.’s public sector given that there are collective agreements with provisions respecting federally recognized holidays.
Specifically, this would mean:
• If a service provider is unionized, then recognition of the public holiday would apply for all employees who are normally entitled to provincial and federal holidays.
• If the service provider is non-unionized and receives more than 50% of its funding from the Province, then the direction to recognize September 30 as a public holiday this year also applies.
• If the service provider is non-unionized but receives less than 50% of its funding from the Province, then the direction to recognize September 30 as a public holiday this year would not apply.
For those employers who are typically required to maintain essential services during statutory holidays, the Province acknowledges that recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this year will result in additional costs. Provincial funders will therefore be working with service providers to ensure that any such costs are funded as applicable, and that services are delivered consistent with other holidays.
We ask for your patience while we work with you on the administrative details to identify and apply these cost adjustments.