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Results: 106 - 120 of 718
View Jenny Kwan Profile
NDP (BC)
View Jenny Kwan Profile
2021-06-01 20:42 [p.7798]
Madam Chair, the parliamentary secretary spoke about closure and the need for closure. In the wake of this horrific situation, we also, of course, need to honour the children. However, in order to move forward on closure and to honour the children and the lives that have been lost, we must also accept, acknowledge and admit that this was genocide.
Will the member call this a genocide, and not a cultural genocide, but genocide as defined by the UN genocide convention?
View Pam Damoff Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, several years ago, I was in Rwanda and visited the museum that documented the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, and I saw pictures of children on the wall who had been massacred during that genocide.
Over the weekend, the faces of those children came back to me as I thought of those 215 children in our country of Canada. I kept asking myself how humanity could continue to treat children like garbage and feel that they were disposable.
View Elizabeth May Profile
GP (BC)
View Elizabeth May Profile
2021-06-01 20:44 [p.7798]
Madam Chair, to my hon. colleague and parliamentary secretary, it is a hard thing to acknowledge as settler culture Canadians that our entire society has been built on dispossessing indigenous peoples of their lands. The residential school system was part of the institutionalized racism and genocide to break down the culture, the societies and civilizations that were here before European settlers.
I am wondering if the hon. member would return to the question, and I know it is a tough question, that was just asked by the member for Vancouver East. Can we admit that we are the beneficiaries of a genocide?
View Pam Damoff Profile
Lib. (ON)
Madam Chair, when we think about how our country was founded, we see it was founded on racism, and it was founded on colonialism. As a result, indigenous peoples not only had to deal with this 150 years ago but also continue to deal with it today. We see systemic racism in policing. We see systemic racism in our health care system in Canada. Often we look south of the border and seem to think that we are better than people who live in the United States, and we are not.
The racism and colonialism that continues to exist in Canada is unacceptable. All Canadians have to take responsibility for that, and all of us have to take action to make sure that we end the racism and colonialism that continues to exist today.
View Larry Bagnell Profile
Lib. (YT)
View Larry Bagnell Profile
2021-06-01 20:46 [p.7798]
Madam Chair, I come to you from the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.
I want to start with a statement I made on social media.
The magnitude of this horrific tragedy initially left me numb. So many children were lost and so many families are grieving. So many emotions of heartbreak are breaking out again. Even if it were only one child, for that family it would be an infinite lifetime of sorrow.
As I was at a memorial of shoes with Angus Sidney, and on a walk yesterday, I and many others imagined what would happen if this were our own children. How could any parent bear such an incalculable pain?
At yesterday's event, after chief after chief expressed their deep sorrow, it was uplifting to hear them, led by Doris Bill, talk about a path forward and reconciliation. Nothing can undo these devastating events, but we in the Government of Canada, under whose authority residential schools were created and maintained, need to do everything in our power to bring these children, and those yet to be found, home to their families.
As well, ongoing support for indigenous-created healing is paramount. The highest priority must be given to continuing to work intensively with families of victims, with indigenous women's groups such as those in Yukon leading the country, and with other indigenous leaders and organizations across Canada to bring all the TRC calls to action to fruition. We can all continually work with those whose hearts are not yet in the same place as the hearts of the many who yesterday attended the Yukon gathering founded in love.
I want to now go over what, in this brief time of a couple of days, at least some of my constituents are asking for or demanding. Almost everyone who contacted me wanted to make sure that all the sites of residential schools in Canada would be searched for all potential graves. They understand that this needs to be indigenous-led. It needs to be as the families want and it needs to be culturally appropriate. They want all the calls to action of the TRC, the parts the federal government is responsible for, to be fully implemented, especially numbers 74 to 76 related to this event.
Investigations must occur and there must be accountability. They want Canadians to educate themselves and acknowledge these dark times in our history. One person said it is not a dark chapter of history, but a foundation of the unjust way that Canada was peopled. They want St. Anne's Indian Residential School survivors and those damaged by insufficient child welfare to be fully funded.
They have said that there need to be big closure ceremonies, clean water and other good conditions, as well as a national day of mourning. One person provided me a list of some terrible, specific, horrible crimes on specific children. The individuals have not been held to account, and it makes healing under those conditions difficult, if possible at all.
In our small city of Whitehorse, we had a spontaneous memorial set up on the steps of the Catholic church where over 400 pairs of children's shoes just appeared. At the invitation of Angus Sidney, I slept on those steps all night with him to honour those young lives that ended all too soon. The next day, there was a walk of thousands of Yukoners taking these shoes to display around a sacred fire that continues to burn right now. The procession was silent except for the heartbeat of the drums. At the fire, a number of chiefs spoke of tragedy and of sadness, but also of true leaders, of a path forward and of reconciliation.
Because this deplorable part of our history was not taught for the longest time in our schools, only after this tragic episode are many Canadians finding out about these devastating deaths. I commend all those across the country who have organized these events. I commend all indigenous leaders, and the tens of thousands of Canadians who turned up at the sad ceremonies across the country, for opening their hearts to the difficult steps we all must take to try to achieve reconciliation that will bring peace to all and a path forward together.
Marsi.
View Andréanne Larouche Profile
BQ (QC)
View Andréanne Larouche Profile
2021-06-01 20:51 [p.7799]
Madam Chair, I thank my colleague from Yukon for his intervention. It is clear that he cares deeply about this evening's debate, which I hope will spur action and progress. I hope this evening will be as constructive as possible, so that we can undertake a nation-to-nation dialogue with indigenous peoples and communities with the utmost respect.
The budget allocated $33.8 million to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action 71 to 78. Unfortunately, that money does not appear to have made it to where it is needed.
Just as I am talking about re-establishing dialogue, we are learning that the Native Women's Association of Canada has lost confidence in the federal government and has decided to implement the recommendations of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls itself.
I would like to know what my colleague thinks. Can we change our approach? Can we take action? Can we get the money to where it is needed? Can we implement the recommendations of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls?
View Larry Bagnell Profile
Lib. (YT)
View Larry Bagnell Profile
2021-06-01 20:52 [p.7799]
Madam Chair, the member said something I was really glad to hear, which is that this night should be for constructive debate on how we can move forward in a positive way and deal with such a tragic situation. The healing requires not a short time but, for some, a lifetime. She also made the very important point that it needs to be a discussion with indigenous people because they have to be led.
I understand that it takes time to go to the various sites and uncover potential graves. Everything has to be done after consultation with the families. They want it done in a culturally sensitive way and in discussion with indigenous people. That is why I think some of the $33 million related to calls to action 74 to 76 has not been finished. It is making sure it is done in the right way, but I have every confidence that the funding necessary to complete all these actions, many of the actions I outlined and in the TRC recommendations, will be forthcoming as it is needed.
View Cathy McLeod Profile
CPC (BC)
Madam Chair, my colleague is an experienced parliamentarian. Will he commit tonight to doing everything he can to make sure that as communities, whether Tk'emlúps or the other 139 or 138 communities, are ready to move forward, the dollars flow in a way that is responsive and does not get bogged down in bureaucratic red tape? In some cases, the communities are ready to move forward.
Does he commit tonight to doing what he can to facilitate things moving forward?
View Larry Bagnell Profile
Lib. (YT)
View Larry Bagnell Profile
2021-06-01 20:54 [p.7799]
Madam Chair, that the money moves forward as quickly as possible without bureaucratic hang-ups is very important. A role politicians have to take when they have a priority is to make sure it moves forward. We, as parliamentarians, have a way of working that a lot of Canadians do not know about, which is inside caucuses. This is where a lot of the work gets done in Parliament and we can move things forward. I certainly have the priority, as she seems to from her question, of getting these things done and getting a number of actions done, such as those I mentioned in my speech and such as a number the TRC recommendations. Repatriating the bodies of the children, finding the ones who have not yet been found and providing the healing necessary should all be done without any holdup and as quickly as possible as the ministers direct their departments.
View Gary Vidal Profile
CPC (SK)
Madam Chair, tonight I will be sharing my time with the member for Kenora.
Normally, whether in person or virtually, I would talk about what an honour it is to rise in the House and speak on a topic. However, tonight it is not easy to speak on the horrific discovery of 215 children found buried at a former residential school in Kamloops, as the reality is indescribable.
This discovery is a sombre reminder that so much more work needs to be done to address the devastating and harmful effects that residential schools had, and still have on many survivors today. All Canadians must stop and reflect on what the truth is of our history as a country.
For far too long, Canada has ignored our own collective secrets hidden within the history of this country. The recent news from Kamloops brings that reality to the surface. When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established in 2008, one of the outcomes of that process was the need to deal with the very first aspect: the truth. There is an old adage that the truth hurts. It unfortunately rang very true these past few days.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to spend some time with two vice-chiefs of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council: Vice-Chief Lawrence McIntyre and Vice-Chief Richard Derocher, both residential school survivors. In fact, Vice-Chief Lawrence McIntyre is a third-generation residential school survivor.
We had a long conversation about many topics and issues that are happening in Northern Saskatchewan, in my riding and across our country. A story that Vice-Chief Derocher shared with us that day resonated with me at the time, and with the events of this past week, I have continued to reflect upon it.
He told of how Orange Shirt Day has been an important educational tool for people to learn about the residential school system. He explained how one of the best ways to combat racism is through education, and that when we come together and see and treat each other as people, we recognize that our similarities far outweigh our differences.
Vice-Chief Derocher then told a story about how he happened to be in Saskatoon on Orange Shirt Day last September. As he made his way about the city that afternoon, he said it brought tears to his eyes as he saw people all around on the streets, walking on the sidewalks and going in and out of stores and buildings, wearing the colour orange. What he saw that day was a collective recognition of a wrong. It was a powerful statement that we are beginning to see movement in the right direction.
I also thought of the Vice-Chief's story last week when I heard about the online comments directed toward Ethan Bear. As an avid hockey fan, it was disheartening for me to see a young man who is a role model for so many young people have to endure what he did in the aftermath of the Edmonton Oilers' playoff loss. It is sad that there are still people in this world who resort to such bitterness and cruelty.
However, I could not help but notice it was also an opportunity for voices of support, of the majority, to come out in waves and drown out the voices of the uneducated. We can all take inspiration from the strength of character and the class that Ethan showed in his response to dealing with a situation he did not deserve. As a former hockey coach, I would take a team full of Ethan Bears.
These stories highlight the need for more and continued education on the truth: It is a truth that all Canadians must collectively share until we get this right. We may be moving in the right direction at times, but a more concerted effort is needed.
Yesterday, the leader of the official opposition sent a letter to the Prime Minister with recommendations that need urgent action. The first is to develop a comprehensive plan to implement TRC calls to action 71 through 76 by July 1, 2021. The second is to fund investigations at all former residential schools in Canada where unmarked graves may exist, including the site where 215 children have already been discovered. Third is to ensure that proper resources are allocated for communities to reinter, commemorate and honour any individuals discovered through this investigation according to the wishes of their families. Finally, fourth is to develop a detailed and thorough set of resources to educate Canadians of all ages on the tragic history of residential schools.
Let me end by saying that the truth is not easy. It requires courage and vulnerability. For those of us who have been tasked with an opportunity for leadership, it will take some humility and a desire to change an approach that has not been good enough.
Partisanship, by its very nature, is in direct opposition to the meaning of reconciliation. Canada needs us to be better.
View Christine Normandin Profile
BQ (QC)
View Christine Normandin Profile
2021-06-01 21:01 [p.7800]
Madam Chair, I truly want to thank my colleague for his very emotional and very moving speech. I would like his comments on the following.
This evening, all our eyes and our attention are turned to this horrifying story that has just been uncovered, but we need to take action all year long. For instance, we must take action when we debate the budget that covers so many things.
My colleague was talking about courage and humility in his speech. I would like him to talk about what we can do to remember that it takes this kind of courage and humility not only on evenings like this, but all the time.
View Gary Vidal Profile
CPC (SK)
Madam Chair, earlier on I asked a question, and I talked about the need for people of all ages to have education on this very important topic. In response to my colleague's thoughtful question, I suggest that this has to become more about listening to each other. It has to become about allowing people to tell their story and listening with sincerity and honesty. It has to be about individual responsibility. It has to be about honest, authentic and real relationship building with people who are different from us, who look different from us, who act different from us and who have a different culture from us. We have to listen, and we have to find a way to respect one another.
View Yvonne Jones Profile
Lib. (NL)
View Yvonne Jones Profile
2021-06-01 21:03 [p.7800]
Madam Chair, I think we all agree that the residential school system was a piece of a larger colonial policy that existed in this country for a very long time. My fear, like many others', is that indigenous children are still not recognized, treated and held to the same standard as all other children in society. That is a big and very sad statement.
What would the member's commitment be to Canadians, to indigenous children and to their families? What does he see as the next steps forward that we have to take as a country?
View Gary Vidal Profile
CPC (SK)
Madam Chair, in my speech I referred to Vice-Chief Derocher, and I had a conversation with him yesterday. He shared with me his honest desire to see all of us as the same. We are all just people; we are all just God's creation. I think a huge step for us in addressing this issue will be to not see each other as different, but to see each other, whatever one's belief system is, as created beings who are the same, as human beings who are all created equally to thrive and to have purpose in the lives we live. I could not have said it better than Vice-Chief Derocher did.
View Leah Gazan Profile
NDP (MB)
View Leah Gazan Profile
2021-06-01 21:05 [p.7801]
Madam Chair, my hon. colleague spoke a lot about courage and truth, and today I tried to seek courage and truth from the government, but it refused to answer.
I am wondering if my colleague would agree that what happened in residential schools was a genocide. According to the UN convention on genocide, it means:
acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
(a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Would my colleague please show courage, speak truth and call this what it is: a genocide?
Results: 106 - 120 of 718 | Page: 8 of 48

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