Each year on September 30, Canada observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a solemn occasion that honours the Survivors of residential schools, their families, and the children who never returned. Rooted in Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, this federal statutory holiday serves as a national moment of reflection, education, and accountability. It is a reminder of the country’s shared responsibility to acknowledge the ongoing impacts of colonialism and to participate meaningfully in reconciliation efforts.
Across Ontario—including the communities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo—businesses, educational institutions, and community groups are encouraged to pause, listen, and learn. For trades-based companies such as Onhydro Tech Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, this day presents an opportunity to affirm respect for Indigenous Peoples, uphold the values of equity and inclusion, and contribute to reconciliation in tangible and ongoing ways.
Understanding the Significance of the Day
The legacy of Canada’s residential school system represents one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history. For more than a century, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed into government-funded, church-run institutions designed to erase their languages, cultures, and identities. The intergenerational trauma caused by these actions continues to be felt across First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
Truth and Reconciliation Day acknowledges this harm while creating space for truth-telling, education, and collective healing. It is not a celebration but a call to ethical reflection and civic responsibility—particularly for non-Indigenous Canadians and settler communities.
Acknowledging Responsibility in the Workplace
In the industrial and trades sectors, reconciliation requires more than symbolism. It must be embedded in recruitment practices, workplace policies, and project engagement. Trades employers are encouraged to support Indigenous participation in the skilled trades, uphold inclusive hiring policies, and respect Indigenous rights and title when operating in or near traditional territories.
Onhydro Tech recognizes the value of creating safe, equitable spaces within its operations and acknowledges the role tradespeople and companies can play in advancing reconciliation—not only through words, but through actions grounded in legal frameworks such as the Canadian Human Rights Act, Employment Equity Act, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Engineering, Fabrication, and Cultural Competence
Mobile welding and custom fabrication services often intersect with public infrastructure and development initiatives. Where such projects occur near Indigenous communities or cultural heritage sites, companies are obligated to observe legal requirements under the Heritage Act, and where applicable, to participate in consultation protocols.
Onhydro Tech approaches each project with a commitment to legal compliance, cultural awareness, and environmental respect. Whether serving industrial facilities in Cambridge or responding to emergency repairs in Waterloo, the company upholds a professional standard that aligns with the values promoted on Truth and Reconciliation Day: respect, responsibility, and partnership.
Reflecting Locally, Acting Nationally
Reconciliation is a national objective but requires local action. In regions such as Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, individuals and organizations are encouraged to attend educational events, read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, and wear orange to honour residential school Survivors and the children who were lost.
Employers in the trades and technical services sectors play a role in furthering these Calls to Action by incorporating cultural competence training, supporting Indigenous trades programs, and ensuring ethical procurement and hiring practices.
To learn more about how mobile welding services are delivered with professionalism, respect, and legal compliance across Ontario, contact Onhydro Tech at 647-248-6682 or visit onhydrotech.ca.