moved for leave to introduce Bill C-297, an act to revoke the conviction of Louis David Riel.
Mr. Speaker, it has been over 110 years since Riel was hanged following a trial tainted with irregularities. He was sacrificed by the then Prime Minister to the powerful Ontario lobbies. He was hanged because he was a Metis, because he was a francophone and because he stood up for a distinct society.
This is the second time we introduce a bill to that end. It has been introduced before by several other members of this House. Louis Riel is one of the Fathers of Confederation. This must be recognized officially. It is not enough to pardon him posthumously. We must reverse the conviction against him.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)