Port Coquitlam will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 as a day to recognize and reflect on the tragic history of residential schools, and to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis residential school survivors and their families and communities. 

By marking National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the City will honour this day, and reflect on its importance to the country’s past, present, and future and to embrace the significance of the day to honour Indigenous peoples and reflect on acts of reconciliation.

City Hall and civic buildings will fly an orange flag and lower all flags to half-mast, and City Hall will also be illuminated orange in observance of this day. The City will mark Sept. 30 as a statutory holiday for all City employees. 

Recreation facilities (Port Coquitlam Community Centre and Hyde Creek Recreation Centre) will be operating under statutory holiday hours while all civic facilities including the Terry Fox Library will be closed for the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation. Residents are reminded that City waste services will operate on normal schedules.

Updates about City facility hours and closures will be available on the City’s website at portcoquitlam.ca and on the City’s social media channels. 

Resources for Learning 

• Learn about and view resources from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, a place of learning and dialogue about residential schools.
• Read about the first stage of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada about residential schools that concluded in 2015.
• Read about the history of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation) in this area. 

The recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to ensure Port Coquitlam welcomes and celebrates all people. As part of this work, Port Coquitlam launched an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Roundtable (EDI) in 2020 to help address issues of racism and discrimination. 

One of the top priorities identified by Roundtable members is to engage community members in celebrating Indigenous, Black, people of colour and LGBTQ2S+ communities, and to foster engagement with diverse experiences and identities. Learn more at portcoquitlam.ca/edi.

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society Emergency Crisis Line is available 24/7 for anyone who may need counselling or support. Call 1-800-721-0066 or the 24-hr crisis line 1-866-925-4419.

For more information on resources and activities to support reconciliation visit portcoquitlam.ca/reconciliation. 

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca