The Town of Ladysmith will waive the $25 fee required for fingerprinting when Indigenous people want to reclaim traditional names on official documents.
People who wish to change their name often have to submit fingerprints to the RCMP and the fee, charged by the town, is used to offset policing costs.
Ladysmith town council voted at its Sept. 7 meeting to essentially waive the fee and use Grant in Aid funds to offset lost revenue. It approved using up to $500 from the funds. Town staff said, in its report to council, it has $2,350 remaining for discretionary Grant in Aid funds.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act of Canada includes a call to action for all levels of government to waive administration costs for five years to support name reclamation for Indigenous people affected by residential schools.
The town reported receiving $1,775 from fingerprinting in 2019.
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