The Portage-Lisgar Federal Liberal Association supports the idea of honouring victims of residential schools through a national statutory holiday.

A motion from the House of Commons Heritage Committee proposes making September 30th "National Truth and Reconciliation Day" in Canada.

Association executive member Ken Werbiski says the idea has a lot of merit and many of the victims of those schools support the idea too.

"We had one (residential school) right here in Portage la Prairie and it ran for decades. I speak to people on a daily basis who have been affected by residential schools as well as the Sixties Scoop ... and I've been told directly that recognition is important."

Werbiski takes exception to comments made by Portage-Lisgar Conservative MP Candice Bergen who questioned how a day off for people would help first nations people.

Bergen described the national holiday concept as a nice gesture but feels it does little to help first nations people recover from their residential school experience or create opportunities for success in life.

Werbiski disagrees and suggests Bergen's stand is out of touch with the desires of first nations people and the recommendations submitted by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

"It's important to note that this was recommendation #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. So, for Candice Bergen to say that this is simply a nice gesture is false ... and she sounds very disingenuous. It sounds like rhetoric from a career politician."

The private members' bill on National Truth and Reconciliation Day has not yet been put to a vote in the house.