Bill to make Orange Shirt Day a stat holiday in Manitoba fails in legislature
Less than 24 hours before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a push by the Manitoba NDP to make the day a statutory holiday failed in the legislature.
NDP MLA Ian Bushie introduced Bill 200, which would make the day, also known as Orange Shirt Day, a holiday across Manitoba. Bushie said the bill has overwhelming support from families, labour, and the business sector.
However, the bill was voted down, and the NDP were quick to criticize the Progressive Conservatives and Premier Heather Stefanson for not voting for it.
“I wonder why the premier wears an orange shirt,” said NDP leader Wab Kinew on the floor of the legislature. “Specifically, I want to know why the premier wore an orange shirt, when she voted against making Orange Shirt Day a statutory holiday earlier today?”
Last month, the PCs said they do plan to make Sept. 30 a statutory holiday, but it wouldn’t happen this year. The party said the legislation is being worked on, and more time is needed to finalize things.
Reg Helwer, Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services, said Orange Shirt Day is already being recognized by the province.
“To pass this legislation would mean that we are doing less in Manitoba to recognize Sept. 30, not more,” he said.
Helwer said consultation is already underway between the province, Indigenous groups, business groups and others about what a holiday would look like.
“If this bill passed today, it would mean all of those consultations were not necessary, and I think it would be difficult to have future consultations if I didn’t take those into account in any legislation I may bring forward.”
Helwer added passing the legislation without thorough consultation would perpetuate the colonialism the day is intended to address.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.