City of Burlington Will Observe National Day for Truth & Reconciliation on Sept. 30 as a Holiday
*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.
Burlington, Ont. — Sept. 22, 2021 — The City of Burlington will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, Sept. 30 as a holiday. To mark the importance of the day, City of Burlington administration buildings will be closed.Beginning Sept. 27, and leading up to Sept. 30, City employees will observe the holiday by focusing on educational events and opportunities that reflect on the nation's past and recommit to understanding the truth of our shared history and advancing reconciliation.We encourage residents to visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website for educational materials and event opportunities.
"The City’s internal Indigenous Relations Committee has compiled resources, events and activities to assist City employees in reflecting on the meaning of Sept. 30. Employees are encouraged to reflect and participate in a community event that pays respect to the legacy of intergenerational trauma that remains today in Indigenous communities, families, and individuals." -- Tim Commisso, Burlington City Manager
City Services open and closed on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021:
| CITY SERVICE | HOLIDAY CLOSURE INFORMATION |
| Animal Services | The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. remains closed to the public due to COVID-19. To report an animal control-related emergency, call 905-335-3030 or visit Burlington.ca/animal |
| Burlington Transit | Burlington Transit will operate a regular weekday schedule on Sept. 30. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.The downtown terminal at 430 John St. and Specialized Dispatch will be open. |
| City Hall | The Service Burlington counter at City Hall (426 Brant St.), will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Sept. 30.Many service payments are available online at Burlington.ca/onlineservices |
| Halton Court Services - Provincial Offences Office | All court proceedings will be closed on Sept. 30 and all matters that were scheduled for that day will be rescheduled.Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be open and operating with skeleton staff on Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Telephone and email services will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at: 905-637-1274 and burlingtoncourt@burlington.caWith the exception of the skeleton staff operations on Sept. 30, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services |
| Parking | Paid parking will be in effect on Sept. 30.In Downtown Burlington, receive 90 minutes of free parking when you pay for parking at the pay station or using the HonkMobile app.Parking in Downtown is Burlington is free after 6 p.m. and on weekends. |
| Recreation Programs & Facilities | Drop-in recreation programs and rentals will run as scheduled on Sept. 30. Visit Burlington.ca/dropinandplay or follow @BurlingtonParksRec on Facebook and @Burl_ParksRec on Twitter for the latest updates. Registered recreation programs will be closed on Sept. 30. Participants impacted will be contacted with additional details.Please note: In keeping with the provincial regulations and Ministry of Health guidance, effective Sept. 22, 2021, individuals entering indoor City facilities used for sports, recreational fitness activities, meetings, and events, will be required to be fully vaccinated (as defined in the provincial guidance) and provide proof of vaccination, along with identification (unless otherwise exempt). To learn more, visit Burlington.ca/coronavirus |
| Roads, Parks & Forestry | The administrative office will be closed on Sept. 30. Essential services will be provided as required. |
QUICK FACTS:
- Sept. 30, 2021 will mark Canada’s inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation also known as Orange Shirt Day.
- In June 2021, the federal government passed legislation proclaiming Sept. 30 as a public holiday. The holiday is one of 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is intended to honour and commemorate Indian Residential School survivors and those children that did not make it home.
- Before it was a public holiday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was started in 2013 as "Orange Shirt Day" where Canadians would wear the bright colour as a sign of their allyship and support toward Indigenous communities.
MAYOR MEED WARD'S TAKE:I’m so grateful for the spirit in which our city and Council have approached these very difficult issues. The discoveries of mass graves at residential school sites have been devastating news. These discoveries have helped start an incredibly important conversation about Canada’s true history. I’m so grateful to have met with Burlington and Halton Indigenous residents who have helped Council in our learning journey around what more we can do to implement Truth and Reconciliation in our city, as well as put into action measures that bring diversity, inclusion and reconciliation. We must acknowledge the generational damage that has been done and continues to this day, and act to right this ship.Having the unanimous support of Council on this sends a strong message to the community and beyond. I’m also very proud of the Burlington residents who are organizing the Sept. 30 community event, and previous events, at Spencer Smith Park as a day of reflection, recognition and education.LINKS & RESOURCES:
- Burlington & Halton Councils Unanimously Recognize Sept. 30 as National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
- Learn more about Orange Shirt Day and how you can contribute: www.orangeshirtday.org.
- Hear Survivor stories and read the Calls to Action at National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist