B.C. to mark September 30, 2021 as a day for commemoration

Today the B.C. Government recognized the importance of honouring a day for Truth and Reconciliation and advised all provincial public sector employers, like UVic, that they should formally recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 this year.

All university employees who are normally entitled to provincial and federal holidays will receive this day off. This means the campus will be closed as it is on all other recognized holidays and days of remembrance.

Recognizing Sept. 30 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.  

UVic’s recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is fully consistent with the university’s commitment to building better and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities.

We know that many may have questions about how we will operationalize this statutory holiday. We will work with key stakeholders to ensure that Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, is honoured as intended. Planning will take a few weeks to work through, and we thank you for your patience while we determine and then communicate implications to campus services, instruction, research and of course, Orange Shirt Day. Please monitor UVic.ca for further information.