Mr. Speaker, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day. This is a day to reflect on the genocide that was committed through the residential school system and the ongoing impacts it has on survivors, family members and communities.
For more than 150 years, over 150,000 children were kidnapped from their families and communities and placed in residential schools. Many never made it home.
Despite irrefutable evidence supporting this history, many people, including some parliamentarians, continue to deny or downplay the impacts of this genocidal system. That is why this week, I tabled Bill C-413 to end residential school denialism and protect the stories of survivors.
This Orange Shirt Day, I send my love and support to all survivors of residential schools, their families and their communities. May they be wrapped in love and tenderness on this very important day.