A northern Saskatchewan MP’s private member’s bill to see National Indigenous Day recognized as a federal statutory holiday is one step closer to becoming a reality.
NDP MP Georgina Jolibois’ bill passed second reading in the House of Commons Wednesday with support from the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois and Green Party.
The bill still needs to pass a third reading and then get Senate approval, but Jolibois says it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that next June 21 will be a national holiday.
“Absolutely, because even the prime minister, a few weeks ago, said there will be a new statutory holiday,” she says. “And regardless, with the bill passing and the Liberals supporting it, I’m fairly confident that Canada will have a new statutory holiday.”
She says the national holiday would serve to bring both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians closer together on the path to reconciliation.
“To me, that signifies at tremendous opportunity to move forward, to come together, to celebrate, to honour, to build relationships and respect the history that the Indigenous people have faith in Canada.”
Even if passed, though, the day would still need to be recognized by the provinces in order to become a provincial holiday.
In previous comments, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has been hesitant to say whether or not this province would recognize the day as a provincial holiday and indicated a number of factors would first need to be reviewed, including impacts on the economy.
Georgina Jolibois is the MP for the federal riding of Desnethé-Missinippi- Churchill River, which encompasses all of northern Saskatchewan.
(PHOTO: Georgina Jolibois. Photo courtesy georginajolibois.ndp.ca)