Mr. Speaker, I am calling on the Prime Minister to expand the scope of the ceremonies surrounding the official apology to Canada's aboriginals who suffered abuse in federal residential schools.
According to information sent to the opposition by the government, the apology in the House will take the form of a simple ministerial statement. The scant importance the government is attaching to this event is completely at odds with the spirit of reconciliation that should prevail under such circumstances.
Last week, the Bloc Québécois gave the government some proposals that are geared toward reconciliation. It is crucial that we learn from the errors of the past and take action now to improve what the future holds for the generations of today and tomorrow. This lack of collaboration must not been seen as a lack of sincerity and respect, or as a paternalistic act that would force the first nations to refuse to accept the apology.