National Thanadelthur Day on February 5

Summary#

This bill designates February 5 each year as National Thanadelthur Day across Canada. It recognizes Thanadelthur, a Denesuline woman who helped make peace between the Denesuline and the Cree in the early 1700s and contributed to the fur trade. The Act states the day is not a legal holiday. The bill creates no new programs, fees, or mandates.

• Designates February 5 as National Thanadelthur Day nationwide (National Thanadelthur Day).
• Confirms it is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day (Not a legal holiday).
• Recognizes the contributions of Thanadelthur and Indigenous women, as outlined in the preamble (Preamble).
• Creates no spending, regulations, or required activities (bill text).
• Title of the Act: National Thanadelthur Day Act (Short title).

What it means for you#

• Households:
  • February 5 will be a recognized day of observance each year. There is no automatic day off (National Thanadelthur Day; Not a legal holiday).
• Workers:
  • Employers are not required to close or provide paid holiday benefits on February 5 (Not a legal holiday).
• Businesses:
  • No mandated closures or staffing changes. Any observance is voluntary (Not a legal holiday; bill text).
• Schools and community organizations:
  • No required curriculum changes or events. Any activities to mark the day are optional (bill text).
• Governments (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal):
  • No mandated actions, reports, or programs. Recognition is symbolic unless governments choose to act voluntarily (bill text).

Expenses#

• Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No appropriations, taxes, or fees are created by the bill (bill text).

• The day is not a legal holiday, so there is no statutory requirement for paid time off or closures (Not a legal holiday).

• Any communications or events would be discretionary; the Act does not fund or require them (bill text).

Proponents' View#

• Honors a significant Indigenous historical figure and highlights the contributions of Indigenous women to Canadian history (Preamble).
• Sets a clear, recurring date for recognition and education efforts by those who choose to participate (National Thanadelthur Day).
• Avoids economic disruption because it is not a legal holiday and imposes no closures or paid leave (Not a legal holiday).
• Simple to implement because it creates no new programs or regulations (bill text).

Opponents' View#

• Largely symbolic: the Act does not provide funding, curriculum, or required activities, which may limit real-world impact (bill text).
• No mechanisms to promote public awareness or measure outcomes are included (bill text).
• Without being a legal holiday, the day may receive limited attention from workplaces and institutions (Not a legal holiday).
• Adds another observance day to the calendar without clear guidance on coordination or priorities (bill text).