October 27, 2022

NDP motion to recognize Residential Schools as an act of genocide gets all party support

OTTAWA—Today, NDP MP Leah Gazan’s (Winnipeg Centre) motion calling on the government to recognize what happened in Canada's Indian residential schools as genocide passed by unanimous consent in the House of Commons.

For Immediate Release
October 27, 2022

“Today I lift up survivors, families, and communities who have sacrificed so much in order for people across Canada to know the truth; that what happened in residential schools was a genocide. I’m grateful to parliamentarians who unanimously passed my motion recognizing the truth of Canada’s history ” added Gazan.

“I look forward to working with the government to ensure the will of Parliament is honoured by formally recognizing residential schools as a genocide. Survivors deserve no less.”

Gazan’s motion reads as follows: That, in the opinion of the House that the government must recognize what happened in Canada's Indian residential schools as genocide, as acknowledged by Pope Francis and in accordance with article II of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

“We must honour the experience of residential school survivors, their communities and families.” said Gazan. “We all have a responsibility as elected officials to speak the truth. Only then will we achieve justice and demonstrate that we are truly committed to reconciliation.”

New Democrats continue to stand in solidarity with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit survivors and communities and will continue to work towards advancing justice for survivors, families, and communities impacted by Canada’s Indian Residential Schools.

-30-

Nina Amrov
613-298-2166

Contact:

Leah Gazan

(204) 984-1675

Latest posts

NDP MPs Leah Gazan and Jenny Kwan Join Women’s Organizations and Migrant Rights Advocates Condemning Bill C-12

NDP MPs Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) and Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East) are standing alongside women’s organizations and migrant rights advocates calling on all Members of Parliament to reject the Liberals’ border and immigration legislation, Bill C-12, expected to be voted on at third reading this week.

Statement from MP Leah Gazan on The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On the anniversary of École Polytechnique, let this be the moment we choose action over sorrow. Truth over silence. Justice over delay. We owe it to all of them.

NDP Critic for Persons with Disabilities MP Leah Gazan Statement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to reaffirm the rights of persons with disabilities - rights that are outlined in the Charter, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and international treaties and conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These constitutional rights are all too often violated or disregarded.