Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I rise today to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
It is about truth, because there can be no trusting, strong, lasting relationship between people, between indigenous and non-indigenous people, between nations, without shining a light on history in order to banish the shadows from every dark corner, to ensure that no one experiences the secrecy and pain of those lies ever again.
It is about uniting, because, although this day is based on the principle of reconciliation, I believe that this call for remembrance and hope extends beyond the word “reconciliation”. In the truest sense, it means reuniting two things that were once joined. Today, we should instead be talking about creating and strengthening a bond.
First and foremost, we need to reach out to one another, get close to one another, really get to know and understand each others' souls. We must become one, as though we all have the same blood running through our veins. Only after shining a light on history will we be able to open the door wide to our common future.
We must remember this every day.