Statement from Mayor Adrian Foster on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Clarington, Ontario – As we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster has issued the following statement.

“Each year on September 30, we reflect on and acknowledge the painful legacy of the residential school system in Canada. Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to honour the resilience and strength of survivors and remember the children who never came home.

Today is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the ongoing impact of residential schools. The residential school system operated for over a century in Canada, forcibly separating Indigenous children from their families and communities and systematically stripping away their traditions, culture, and languages.

As we observe this day and move toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities, let us remember the importance of acknowledging these historical injustices. Let us commit to fostering a future grounded in respect, understanding, and justice.”