Ottawa – September 30, 2026

Canada is observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation today. September 30 is a day to remember Canada’s history of separating Indigenous children from their families and communities and sending them to residential schools.

The day’s central purpose is to honour residential school survivors from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, their families, and the children who never returned home.

Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission recorded that more than 150,000 Indigenous children attended the residential school system, which operated from the 19th century until 1996.

Many children were separated from their families, languages, cultures and traditions. The commission’s investigations revealed serious problems in these schools, including physical and psychological abuse and inadequate food and healthcare.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission initially documented the deaths of at least 3,200 children. However, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has said that the actual number could be higher, based on records that continue to be examined.

In its final report, published in 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission stated that the residential school system was part of a government-supported policy intended to erase Indigenous languages, cultures and identities and forcibly assimilate Indigenous Peoples into mainstream society.

The Canadian government legally recognised September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in response to Call to Action 80, one of the commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

The day has been observed as a federal statutory holiday since 2021.

A national commemorative event, “Remembering the Children”, is taking place on Parliament Hill in Ottawa today. Residential school survivors, Indigenous Elders, community leaders and artists are participating.

Commemorative and awareness events are taking place not only in Ottawa but also in cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Iqaluit.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to attend and deliver remarks at a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event in Edmonton.

To mark the day, the national flag is being flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset at Government of Canada buildings and establishments, including the Peace Tower in Ottawa.

September 30 is not only the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is also associated with Orange Shirt Day.

The movement grew from residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad’s account of having her new orange shirt taken away when she entered a residential school. Today, it is recognised throughout Canada as a symbol of the message “Every Child Matters”.

Many Canadians are therefore wearing orange shirts today to express solidarity with Indigenous Peoples affected by residential schools.

But the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation does not end with remembering the past.

The lasting effects of residential schools, Indigenous rights, health, education, child welfare, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, land rights and economic opportunities remain important issues under discussion in Canada.

September 30 is therefore not only a day to remember what happened in Canada’s history. It is also a day for Canadian society to reflect again on learning the truth and on how reconciliation should move forward on that basis.