City of Edmonton observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation |
September 26, 2025
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created in response to Call to Action No. 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, which called for a statutory holiday to honour residential school survivors and the children who were never returned home, along with their families and communities.
In March 2023, Edmonton City Council affirmed the City’s commitment to reconciliation by making September 30 a day of observance for staff to participate in education, reflection, remembrance and community connection.
Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
There are community events and learning sessions happening across the city to recognize and honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. You can find these events on edmonton.ca/TruthandReconciliationDay.
The City will also recognize the day by:
- Raising Every Child Matters banners in Churchill Square, lowering flags in City Hall Plaza to half-mast and displaying the Survivors’ Flag in City Hall.
- Lighting several Edmonton structures orange on September 30, including Muttart Conservatory, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton Tower, City Hall, Rossdale Power Plant, High Level Bridge and Walterdale Bridge.
- Tying orange ribbons on City fleet vehicles and encouraging staff to wear orange shirts, ribbons or pins.
- Supporting the fifth annual Orange Shirt Day Run & Walk, hosted by Indigenous Runner. Root for Trees will be on site to give away plants, trees and shrubs.
- Offering free admission to City attractions for all self-declared Indigenous people.
- Opening the Fort Edmonton Park Indigenous Peoples Experience on September 30. Admission is $5 per guest and free for Indigenous people and children under the age of 11.
- The new art-wrapped ETS bus, featuring a design inspired by local Indigenous seniors, will be on display at the Orange Shirt Day Run & Walk on September 28. It will also provide accessible shuttle service at the Indigenous Peoples Experience event on September 30.
- Re-painting a decorative crosswalk at ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ Indigenous Art Park, 10204 Queen Elizabeth Park Road, with artwork by Indigenous artist, Lance Cardinal.
Program and service adjustments
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day of observance for municipal employees. Edmontonians can expect temporary changes to the following programs and services on September 30:
- Edmonton Service Centre and 311: The Edmonton Service Centre and 311 will be closed. After-hours services will be available for urgent bylaw or public safety concerns. Regular hours will resume on October 1.
- City recreation facilities: City recreation facilities will be operating under holiday hours with no registered programs. The aquatic centre at Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar remains closed until November 14. The rest of the facility is still open. The smaller leisure centres will be open with limited hours. Central Lions and Northgate Senior Centres are closed on September 30. Regular hours will resume on October 1 with drop-in programs available.
- Edmonton Valley Zoo: The zoo will be operating under holiday hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Muttart Conservatory: The Muttart Conservatory will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Edmonton Transit Service: Buses will run regular weekday service. All school special bus routes are cancelled, including Route 622 and short Route 4 trips. These routes will resume on October 1.
- Waste Services: All Eco Station locations will be closed. Edmonton Waste Management Centre will be operating under holiday hours. Regular hours will resume on October 1.
- Animal Care and Control Centre: The Animal Care and Control Centre will be closed. Regular hours will resume on October 1.
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For more information:
Media contact:
Carmen Wiggins
Communications Advisor
Office of the City Manager
780-886-2822
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