Thanks very much, Mr. Chair.
Colleagues, the last few weeks have been an incredibly difficult time for me and my family. I would like to clarify any confusion about my heritage and my previous business relationship.
In 1970, I was adopted by a supportive and loving family. They are the only family I have ever known. While I was growing up, my family taught me about their indigenous heritage. I was told that my great-grandmother, whom I knew as a child, was Cree. That was our family's understanding. Later in life, I sought advice on how to speak about my family history in a thoughtful way. As someone adopted into an indigenous family, I wanted to speak about that history in a way that was respectful and accurate. That is why I worked with an indigenous researcher, and it is how I arrived at the term non-status adopted Cree. This term ensured that I claimed no indigenous status for myself, while it also honoured the indigenous heritage of the family who adopted and raised me.
During the pandemic, my family delved further into our history, which led to my adoptive mother and my adoptive brother becoming Métis citizens earlier this year. Further revelations have come to light through the media since October that were as much a surprise to me as they were to Canadians.
It has been difficult to see our family's history challenged publicly. I recognize that the ways in which I described my heritage have not always been as accurate as they could have been. As I have said before, for this I sincerely apologize. To be clear, I have never claimed indigenous status for myself.
Edmonton has one of the fastest-growing urban indigenous populations in Canada. As the MP for Edmonton Centre, I attended the indigenous caucus as an ally. I welcomed the opportunity to represent the interests of indigenous Edmontonians as an ally. I have never attempted to leverage my adopted family's history for personal or political gain. I've never identified as indigenous on any application form, nor have my businesses ever benefited as a result.
I believe the safeguards in place to prevent non-indigenous businesses from receiving funding meant for indigenous proponents are extremely important. With respect to Global Health Imports, GHI, I am glad that the current safeguards worked correctly. I am committed to doing my best, always being clear about my history and being a better ally for indigenous people. I have learned much from this difficult experience, and my commitment to reconciliation has never been stronger.
With regard to my former business partner at GHI, based on media disclosures, I believe Mr. Anderson has been using my name without my consent to further GHI's interests since 2021. In my opinion, he acted unethically, and he was able to mislead many people. I take my obligations as a public office holder very seriously. I did not run any businesses while I was serving the public. I should never have trusted that person as a business partner. His alleged actions have severely damaged my reputation. Despite multiple opportunities to explain himself, including before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, he refused to do the right thing and be transparent. He refused to admit that he used my name without my knowledge or consent.
During my time at GHI, prior to the 2021 election, the company never received any funds from federal contracts, I'm not mentioned in any of the lawsuits against the company, and the events reported in the media occurred after I withdrew from the company.
To be clear, after I stepped away in the fall of 2021, GHI continued to operate as a company under the exclusive direction and control of Mr. Anderson. I deeply regret entering into a business with Mr. Anderson, and I will do everything in my power to protect myself and my reputation with respect to his alleged actions. I consulted a lawyer to explore all options to restore my reputation with respect to Mr. Anderson's alleged actions.
It is an honour to serve the people of Edmonton Centre as their member of Parliament and to have served Canadians as a minister. I remain focused on the job I was elected to do.
