Apologies to Aboriginal Survivors

On the day that survivors of Canada’s residential schools system heard an apology from the federal government, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion offered a second apology on behalf of his own party.

“As the leader of the party that was in government for more than seventy years of the last century, I acknowledge our role and our shared responsibility in this tragedy,” said Mr. Dion.  “I am deeply sorry.”

Today in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a formal statement of apology for the legacy of Indian Residential Schools.  In his official response, also delivered in the House, Mr. Dion called today an important moment in the history of relations between Canada’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples.

“We must, together as a nation, face the truth to ensure that we never have to apologize to another generation, that the tragedy of forced assimilation of Aboriginal peoples in Canada never happens again,” he said.

Speaking to Members of Parliament as well as residential school survivors in attendance in the House, Mr. Dion acknowledged the terrible wounds left by residential schools on individuals, families and communities. 

“For too long, Canadian governments chose to ignore the consequences of this tragedy instead of trying to understand them, so that the suffering of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities continues to this day,” said Mr. Dion.  “Today, we lay the first stone in the building of a new monument.  A monument dedicated to truth, reconciliation and healing.”