By Derek Cornet

Private members Bill

If Jolibois bill passes, Orange Shirt Day could be national statutory holiday

Feb 7, 2019 | 1:32 PM

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River NDP MP Georgina Jolibois supports a recent change to her private member’s bill to make Sept. 30 instead of June 21 a statutory holiday.

“June 21 will still be a day celebrated across Canada,” she said. “Indigenous Peoples from coast to coast with Canadian will still come together to celebrate. Sept. 30 is another day and I agreed … to support that. Sept. 30 still marks a significant day towards Reconciliation.”

Currently known as Orange Shirt Day, Sept. 30 is observed in remembrance of the experience students faced at residential schools. It was inspired by former student Phyllis Webstad who, on her first day of residential school, had her new orange shirt given from her grandmother taken away from her. She was only six years old.

If Jolibois’ bill passes, the day will be known as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In the next month, Jolibois expects her bill will be given a third reading and be voted on by MPs in the House of Commons. If it passes the House, it will then go to the Senate for a final vote before it eventually becomes law. Jolibois is confident her bill will receive royal assent by Canada Day.

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“History has been very painful and has not been kind to us, but we want healing and communities coming together,” she said. “This day will also be an important reminder to the federal government to reflect on how every decision they make, and every policy they enact, continues to affect First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.”

Apart from her private bill, Jolibois stood up in the House of Commons last week and demanded the Liberal government act upon the housing crisis in Canada. While the lack of housing is an issue across the country, Jolibois noted there are families in northern Saskatchewan living in overcrowded and mouldy conditions. She’s calling the Liberal’s housing plan ineffective and wants more action.

“There isn’t a full commitment from the federal government for an effective housing plan, so we as the NDP are pushing the federal government to rethink their strategy,” she said. “They have not been clear about the kind of funding they have been talking about.”

Due to housing issues, Jolibois stated families continue to suffer from health problems as illnesses spread fast in overcrowded conditions. She also added more houses are being boarded up because of mould, leaving families with no place to go. There are many people who are low income, Jolibois noted, who can’t find affordable housing where they live.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno