44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 29, 2023 10:00AM
- Sep/29/23 11:09:39 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, September 30 marks the day put aside to remember the tragedies of the residential school system, the unjust colonial practices of Canada's past, and the trauma and lost opportunities of generations of indigenous peoples. It is crucial to understand that reconciliation is a path, a process that requires our sustained commitment and dedication. It begins with acknowledging the truth and the pain inflicted upon indigenous peoples, and it continues with meaningful actions that address the ongoing disparities and inequities indigenous peoples have faced for far too long.
To truly honour the spirit of reconciliation, we must address this by creating equitable opportunities for indigenous peoples in areas such as employment, education, entrepreneurship and resource sharing. It means dismantling the barriers that have hindered economic progress for indigenous communities and empowering them to shape their economic futures.
Let us commit to indigenous self-determination and prosperity, and to a more just and equitable future to remember the past, honour their survivors and commit ourselves to a future where reconciliation is not just a dream, but a reality for all.
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- Sep/29/23 11:14:03 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Tomorrow, we will gather on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation to commemorate the immense significance of this day, as we come together to remember, to reflect and to take collective action.
To be clear, this is not a one-day conversation. It is a call to become lifelong learners, constantly striving to understand a painful history and its ongoing impacts. This day is a time to dive deeper into the complex relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. It is an opportunity to learn, show empathy and grow together.
Today, tomorrow and every day, let us take a moment to reflect on the resilience of indigenous communities. Let us commit to standing by their side as we work together to create a better future. Change begins with each of us. Together, we can honour the strength and spirit of indigenous communities by working to create a Canada where reconciliation is more than a word, it is a reality.
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- Sep/29/23 11:17:01 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a first nations initiative to commemorate the painful history of residential schools. It is an opportunity to remember all those who suffered trauma that then followed them throughout their lives. It also gives us an opportunity to think of all those children who never returned home, as well as their families.
On this occasion, everyone is invited to show their solidarity by wearing the colour orange, which, for indigenous peoples, symbolizes truth and healing. There is still more work to be done to uncover the truth about residential schools and bring it to light. We need to know the truth in order to understand the terrible multi-generational consequences of this systematic cultural dispossession.
Time alone is not enough to heal the wounds. Healing requires meaningful acts of reconciliation towards first nations, Inuit and Métis people. Only they can tell us what form those acts must take. It is up to us to demonstrate the respect that has too often been lacking throughout our history. In order to write the next chapter together, we must show them that respect.
Shutshiteiemueu.
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- Sep/29/23 11:20:39 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Tomorrow we will gather on the unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation to mark the profound meaning of this day, as we meet to remember, reflect and act in solidarity.
Let us be clear, this is not a one-day conversation. It is a call to become lifelong learners, seeking to understand the harms of the past and their ongoing implications. This day invites us to delve deeper into the complex relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. It is an opportunity to learn, show empathy and grow together.
Today, tomorrow and every day, let us take a moment to reflect on the resilience of indigenous communities. Let us commit to being by their side as we work together for a better future. Change starts with each and every one of us. Together, we can honour the strength and spirit of indigenous communities by working for a Canada where reconciliation is not just a word, but a reality.
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- Sep/29/23 11:32:51 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for her passion.
Our government is fully aware that in order to advance reconciliation, we need to close the gap between indigenous people and the rest of Canada, as well as address the harms caused through colonization and underfunding. Our government is committed to doing that. We have a tremendous ability and record of being first in our country for indigenous people.
We will continue to make progress. I look forward to working together with the member on the INAN committee to do so.
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- Sep/29/23 11:41:17 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, let us talk about Chalk River and the proposal to build a radioactive waste disposal facility on the shores of the Ottawa River. The chiefs of the Kebaowek, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and Mitchikanibikok Inik First Nations are adding their voices to the widespread grassroots opposition campaign in Quebec.
They are obviously worried about the impact on the river. They are worried about having a nuclear waste dump near their sacred lands. They are worried, but no one consulted them, and that failure to consult is a direct violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
When will this government listen to them and call off the Chalk River project?
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- Sep/29/23 11:52:07 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, tomorrow is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day that recognizes first nations, Inuit and Métis children who were separated from their families, their culture and their communities. While the Leader of the Opposition fails to advance on indigenous issues such as UNDRIP, which he voted against, our government will be there to work with indigenous peoples.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations update the House on our government's record on reconciliation?
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- Sep/29/23 11:52:37 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, when it comes to indigenous issues, the record of the Leader of the Opposition is almost as shameful as his comments—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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- Sep/29/23 11:53:02 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, when it comes to indigenous issues, the shameful record of the Leader of the Opposition on voting is almost as shameful as his words when he said that instead of compensation for abuses suffered at Indian residential schools, aboriginals need to learn the value of hard work. In contrast, our government has a record of historic firsts. We passed UNDRIP into law. We had the first-ever indigenous languages commissioner, the first-ever indigenous Governor General and the first-ever indigenous Supreme Court justice. I will stand on our record of historic firsts every day, including the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
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- Sep/29/23 12:06:10 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, listening to and amplifying indigenous voices is one way to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend the premier of Bones of Crows. This series, which was created by Marie Clements and features indigenous actors, tells the terrible history of residential schools in Canada. It also highlights the valuable contributions that the Cree and members of various first nations made to our common history.
Thanks to this partnership between the APTN and CBC/Radio-Canada, the voices of first nations will be heard so that, together, we can honour the truth and create healing spaces.
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- Sep/29/23 12:09:53 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, this weekend, Canadians in my riding of Hamilton East—Stoney Creek and across the country will honour the victims and survivors of the residential school system as we seek to address the harmful legacy of residential schools and reflect on our commitment to reconciliation.
For generations, indigenous peoples have kept their culture and language, showing great resilience in the face of discrimination and mistreatment by colonial systems. Canada has a responsibility to address the truth and support their healing.
In my community, people want to know how our government is working toward truth and reconciliation with indigenous peoples?
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- Sep/29/23 12:10:33 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am grateful to see Canadians across the country finding their own special ways to commemorate this important day.
Let me be clear: As a government, we believe that truth and reconciliation need to be at the heart of absolutely everything that we do. We are committed to doing the work.
After Harper refused for years, we launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Today, more than 96% of first nations have access to clean drinking water, with a pathway for the remaining 4%. After decades of neglect, we have helped communities build, renovate and retrofit 31,000 homes and counting.
We will continue working with indigenous peoples to build a new relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership; that is “reconciliaction”.
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- Sep/29/23 12:13:44 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to address an exchange stemming from question period. I am a descendant of the Bear family from the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in Manitoba, so I raise this with grave concern and seriousness.
The Prime Minister's pick for the parliamentary secretary for crown-indigenous relations, who mischaracterized our leader earlier in question period and was focusing on words, actually said, “Why do I assume every skinny aboriginal girl is on crystal meth or pills? #toomuchaptn.”
I would beg all members of Parliament to treat these issues seriously, particularly those of deep concern to indigenous Canadians in every corner of their country, all of us who are descended from them and non-indigenous Canadians who are treaty partners. We should take these issues seriously, with the gravity they deserve, and stop name-calling, imputing motives and mischaracterizing words.
These topics deserve seriousness. That is why the Harper Conservative government apologized for the residential schools and launched—
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- Sep/29/23 12:18:24 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart as well. As many know, my family is first nations as well.
The comments that came from the member for Sydney—Victoria on a day before truth and reconciliation day are indeed damaging. I remind the House that not only did the member for Sydney—Victoria use disparaging remarks toward indigenous women prior to his elected life, but our Prime Minister also heckled indigenous protesters and thanked them for their donation.
Madam Speaker, through you, I ask for unanimous support to table a document that highlights that our Prime Minister thanked indigenous protesters for their donation when they were protesting his inability to fight the potable water situation in our first nations communities throughout our country.
This is shameless. I seek unanimous support to table this document.
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- Sep/29/23 12:19:45 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I wrote my undergraduate honour's thesis, 21 years ago, about harm and responsibility in the residential school system, and called for apology and compensation from government, among many other measures. I forgot, when you allowed me the time earlier, to ask for unanimous consent to table documents that show the Prime Minister's pick for indigenous-Crown relations making misogynist and anti-indigenous comments.
To the comment from our colleague who talked about how she is urging people to not make political points, I agree. That is the point of me rising and I hope I am taken in good faith. She should definitely talk to her Liberal cabinet minister colleagues—
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