Debates of June 1st, 2021

Residential Schools

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

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.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, 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.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

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.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, 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.

[Yvonne Jones, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs]

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?

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, 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.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

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?

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Madam Chair, I am a relatively new MP, and one thing I have learned is that partisanship, language and some of the particulars that we like to talk about in the Ottawa bubble do not matter to the people on the ground. When I talk to indigenous leaders and indigenous people on the ground in my riding of Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River and in my community, they say they want us to work toward finding solutions to some of the challenges.

The events of this week are a bit of a watershed moment, because they have created an opportunity for us to really look inside ourselves and see what we believe about some of these things. Our individual responsibility to listen, to build relationships and to respect our neighbours and friends who are different from us has become way more important than the partisanship and the specific language around the issue.

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Chair, when a mass grave containing the remains of 215 school children was discovered in Kamloops, it sent major shock waves throughout the nation. However, for many indigenous people, although the discovery opened tremendously deep wounds, it was not a surprise. According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, at least 3,200 children died while attending residential schools. As I understand, that is one in every 50 students.

The mass grave in Kamloops is not the only site in Canada interring the remains of indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their families. This is Canada's national shame, and it is the incomprehensible and unfortunate reality that has impacted families across the country.

Survivors of residential schools remember the horrors of being taken from their parents and being removed from their communities and their cultures. Tragically, many of these survivors remember friends dying from diseases such as tuberculosis or because of negligence—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member, but we seem to have an issue with his Internet connection.

We will try again. Please proceed.

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Chair, my apologies for that.

As I was saying, many of these children who were victims of abuse fled the schools and died alone as they tried desperately to get back to their parents. Many know the story of Chanie Wenjack, a young Ojibway boy from Martin Falls who, at the age of 12, attempted to escape from a residential school in Kenora. He tragically succumbed to the conditions and died in his attempt to get back home.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation states that over 70 indigenous youth died while at residential schools in the Kenora area. We also know that many families were treated with contempt in their time of grief. Parents of these young victims were routinely denied information about how their children died and were not able to reclaim their bodies to say a proper goodbye.

For the reasons I have highlighted and many others, residential school survivors and their descendants continue to live with the trauma of their experiences. Canada's Parliament needs to show our commitment to reconciliation. As I understand it, the government is currently deliberating on what next steps should be taken.

Yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition respectfully submitted recommendations for some of the actions the government could take to assist communities in this time of sorrow. We recommend developing a comprehensive plan to implement TRC calls to action 71 to 76 by July 1; funding the investigation at all former residential schools in Canada where unmarked graves may exist, including the site in Kamloops; ensuring that proper resources are allocated for communities to reinter, commemorate and honour any individuals discovered, according to their wishes; and developing a detailed set of resources to educate Canadians of all ages on the tragic history of residential schools.

I note that the aspect of education is one that I believe is greatly important. I am the youngest member of Parliament, and I am likely one of the few who did learn a bit about residential schools during my education. However, it was not until I was nearing the end of high school that I truly began to learn some of the horrors and some of the true history that had gone on.

I remember feeling a sense of shame and a sense of embarrassment, for lack of a better word, that even though so many of these horrific incidents occurred just down the street from where I lived and grew up, I had no idea about them until I was nearing the end of high school. That is completely unacceptable, and I believe that is why we need to continue to have a stronger focus on education for all Canadians, especially young Canadians.

I know my time is drawing to a close, so I will just say that it is my hope that the government gives sincere consideration to the proposals that our party has outlined. I look forward to seeing what other actions it may take. It is tremendously important that all of us in this chamber work together on this issue and work across partisan lines.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Madam Chair, I very firmly believe that this absolutely cannot be a partisan issue. Constituents of mine have been reaching out to me extensively about what has transpired regarding the discovery of the mass grave and what it means going forward.

It seems quite obvious to me that it is not just Kamloops and Kenora. There are about 139 different sites around the country. Does the member think we could achieve unanimous consent on moving quickly to have forensic investigations done at all of these sites? Then we could have some transparency and accountability for the number of unmarked graves and burial sites that exist around this country, and at least provide some sense of transparency and accountability to indigenous people on this land.

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Chair, I certainly do not want to speak for any other members of the chamber or for other parties, but I do believe that this is the action we need to take. We have to have that transparent process.

I appreciate the comments from the parliamentary secretary, and I certainly hope that through this debate we can continue to move forward with more concrete action and have all parties on board for that.

[Denis Trudel, Bloc, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Madam Chair, I very much appreciated my colleague's touching testimony. I would like him to know that I too feel ashamed.

In a debate like this, words matter. Earlier I asked a Liberal member a question, but she did not provide a clear answer.

The first paragraph of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission states that this policy was meant to cause indigenous peoples to cease to exist as distinct political and cultural entities. It also states that the establishment and operation of residential schools were a central element of this policy, which can best be described as cultural genocide.

I would like to know if my colleague agrees with the first recommendation of the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Chair, I certainly agree with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's finding that this most certainly did constitute a cultural genocide. I know there has been much discussion about this today in the chamber, and I certainly agree with the member on that.

[Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Madam Chair, as the member was speaking, and he said some nice things, I could not help but try to reconcile the words and actions. The irony of hearing heartfelt speeches from the Conservatives is their own proven track record of providing less than the basics for indigenous peoples across Canada.

Indigenous peoples do not want their shame, guilt or even, to an extent, the thoughts and prayers of non-indigenous peoples. What indigenous peoples are calling for throughout the country is action and for this to be treated for what it is. It is a crime. What we are seeing is history. It is one of the biggest crimes to happen in Canada.

That member and his party recently voted in the House against the UN declaration. That is a party that deepens the cuts to indigenous services and has for the programs that have been so desperately needed in past years.

Does the member, and, more broadly, the Conservatives, believe that we should implement each and every single TRC call to action and if so, how does he suggest we go about doing that before I am 69 years old?

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Chair, I think I speak for all members in the House in saying we will certainly miss the member's voice in the chamber and we wish her well in whatever she will be doing next.

There are quite a few things to address in the member's question.

Yes, we have to implement all the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations. When it comes down to it, the government has to decide whether, at the end of the day, it supports the commission or it does not. I certainly hope it will support it.

I will touch on UNDRIP, as the member mentioned it. At the INAN committee through the study of that bill, we heard a number of concerns from many indigenous organizations and indigenous people. They suggested a number of amendments that they would like to see. However, our party, in an attempt to bring forward those amendments and suggestions, as I recall correctly, every single one those amendments—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

I apologize to the hon. member, but we are way over time now.

Resuming debate, the hon. member for Sydney—Victoria.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Madam Chair, I will be sharing my time with the member for Beaches—East York.

By now, Canadians are deeply saddened and disturbed with the recent discovery in Kamloops of the bodies of 215 children at the Indian residential school.

I have spoken in the House before about the TRC findings that one in 25 children who went to these schools did not come home. In comparison, one in 26 soldiers who served in World War II did not come home. World War II lasted six years, whereas many Indian residential schools lasted more than 40 years.

Tragically, we now see the evidence. We now have heard the proof of what the TRC has stated, what authors like Isabelle Knockwood wrote in her book Out of the Depths about the residential school in Shubenacadie. Tragically, we are hearing the information now in our heads. Many of us are now feeling it in our hearts as well. It is within our hands to take action with the head, the heart and the hands.

I have spent most of my adult life teaching, researching and presenting on the horrors of Indian residential schools, as a professor at Cape Breton University, as a treaty education lead for Nova Scotia and now as an MP in the House of Commons.

The TRC's calls to action are a blueprint for moving forward in the country. While we have supported and passed in the House two pieces of legislation, it is important that we reflect and work with all levels of government to do more. Many are in our hands within the federal government to change. I am willing to work with everyone to find solutions to move forward.

However, many of the calls to action speak to law societies, law schools, faith denominations; municipal and provincial governments. I would like to stress that we need to work with our provinces and our municipal governments, all people, especially around calls to action 10 and 62 that talk about the increased need for education in Canada and for us to understand, for every Canadian, every grade and every school to understand, what happened in the residential schools. I invite all parliamentarians, provincial premiers and departments of education to not hide the dark chapters of our country. Let us learn from them.

It is also important for all those speaking their language today, practising their culture today through songs, dances and ceremonies to be supported by all levels of government.

For all those indigenous peoples practising their culture, teaching their languages and promoting their languages, I thank to them today. Let us not let this debate be in vain. Let the words we speak tonight build on a better future that supports, protects and promotes indigenous peoples in all our ridings.

After speaking to my elders and leaders within the Mi’kmaq communities that I represent, they advised me that the strongest way that I, as an indigenous member of Parliament, could bring honour to those lives that were taken and for all those survivors was to show that the very language and culture that was once threatened with cultural genocide is now being shared, promoted and spoken within the House of Commons.

[Member spoke in Mi’kmaq and provided the following text:]

Msit Nokumaq

Ke’skmnaq kaqewistuan

Pasi’k ketu Tlimuloq

Kejutuek tan telji olai’utkik Kikmnaqi’k

Kejituek tan telji olo’ta’snik mijuajijk aq pukolkik mu apajitakik

Aq nutaq me’ msit Kapalnukw, akatmnew tan teluwi’tmi’tij kisikuk L’joqotukemkewey kis na reconciliation.

Nasik tan anki’tetmanek tal kis miawalkik telji pukolkik tan weni’k Wejitajik residential schools

Amujpa kinawa’ta’qik msit wen wula wenji’kwuom, ujit msit tan weji’tasnik aq olaitkik

mu kespu’tuwu’wek, me’ elmotiek, me’ mimaju’lltiek, me’ lnuistikw, me lnu’tasltikw.

Keji’tu mu na naqmasi’anuk tan wejitaik, Nasik pipanmlnoq siawi lnuitasimk, siawi lnusltinoq aq mu iajpu awantasu tan weni’n aq tan wejitaik.

Aq Nekmey, teli siawi’ta’tisnuk elmiknek, mawi apoqnmatultinej

Kisi Api’jatisnu’kw Taqu’we’ entu’kpnek

Msit Nokmaq

[Member provided the following translation:]

All my relations, before I conclude my thoughts today, I just want to tell everyone that we understand how mistreated our indigenous families have been. We understand how mistreated our children were and how so many did not come home.

We need all of government to take a look at how we can restore the balance to our communities or what is often referred to as “reconciliation”.

However, when I thought of how we could best honour our survivors of residential schools, I have to say to all the members of our House of Commons, on behalf of all who went and were mistreated, they were not successful. We are still here, we are resilient, we still speak our languages and we practise our culture.

I know it has been difficult, with what we have been through, however I am asking indigenous people to keep their culture strong, to keep speaking their languages, and to never forget who they are as an indigenous person and what we have been through.

That is how we flourish and survive moving forward by working together. We can bring back some of what was lost, all my relations.

[English]

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, I particularly appreciate the message that is sent by having members of Parliament have the ability to speak in indigenous languages in the House. It demonstrates that in spite of the horrors of the past and the continuing challenges indigenous people face, indigenous cultures are there, are preserving and are continuing, including through languages.

I want to comment on some of the discussion around Bill C-15. It is obviously not the focus of tonight's debate, but it has come up many times.

The reality is that there are diverse opinions within indigenous communities about Bill C-15. We certainly hear in western Canada that some indigenous communities are concerned about development. Some indigenous communities are also very supportive of development, including in the resource sector, and want to have in place policies that allow them to proceed with development. They and are concerned about the impact of Bill C-15 in that context.

I wonder if the member would agree that when it comes to issues like development policy frameworks in Bill C-15, it is important to listen to the diversity of indigenous voices to ensure there is robust consultation and that we protect the rights of those communities who want to participate in resource development as well as the views of those who have a different point of view.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member's comments, but I have to disagree with his entire premise.

UNDRIP, which is what Bill C-15 was based on, was the most comprehensive document that had nation states and indigenous peoples at the table for more than 40 years to create consensus, including Assembly of First Nations, ITK, MNC. Every single indigenous organization and government supported Bill C-15.

The fearmongering that the Conservatives try to put out there by saying that indigenous people do not believe in growth and development is wrong. We believe in growth and development, but we ensure that development is sustainable for the next seven generations.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last night I joined Tseshaht and community members to share grief and to honour the lost souls that were stolen at the Indian residential school in Tk’emlúps, and to stand with the Tk’emlúps people.

We were next to the Alberni Residential School and the people requested I deliver their message that they had heard false promises a lot and that they needed action now. If the government and the churches can build these horrible places, they can build healing places to take their spots. They made it very clear that they needed action, not more words. They do not want to be known as the place that had a residential school that caused harm. They want a place where they can reclaim their power.

Tseshaht did not ask for the Indian residential school to be put in their backyard. Does my colleague agree that they should not have to pay to tear it down or to build a health and wellness centre to help survivors heal from the abuse they suffered in that school?

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the principles of what the member has said. One of the things I feel indigenous people have found strength in is returning to their languages and to their cultures. Whatever buildings exist, those are just structures. The real power is within themselves, within their language, within their spirituality and within practices and ceremonies that our ancestors passed down for years.

One of the most important things, moving forward, is that we make the proper investments and the proper actions within all of us who have the ability to do so to move forward so indigenous people in the future have those abilities to move forward with the strength and resilience they have had for the last 150 years.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Sydney—Victoria for his speech. Indigenous languages are so beautiful and poetic. They are a treasure, and I hope we can work to better protect them.

I would like to hear what my colleague thinks about what one of my Conservative colleagues said about Bill C-15. This bill would have been a great way to open a dialogue with indigenous communities in order to prevent crises, rather than creating them. I am referring here mainly to the rail crisis with the Wet'suwet'en last year.

How can Bill C-15 be a good way to talk nation to nation with indigenous peoples to prevent future crises?

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I have stated in the House that Bill C-15 helps us turn the chapter on the horrible legacy that has been left to us by the Indian Act. Bill C-15, UNDRIP and all the recommendations within UNDRIP, helps us get past what colonial governments thought about how we should govern ourselves. It gives us the ability to look at what indigenous people have put forward over 40 years, working with nation states. It was endorsed by so many indigenous organizations across Canada as the way forward.

I really feel that with the passage, and hopefully royal assent, of Bill C-15, we will get to that new chapter in indigenous and Crown relations.