“More people are denying the harms done by residential schools. This hurts survivors and hides the truth about Indigenous children who died there. What is the minister doing to help Canadians understand the lasting pain caused by these schools?”

“Uqaqtittiji, residential school denialism is on the rise, which harms survivors and their families and communities. Denialism allows systemic racism to persist. It tries to hide that indigenous children were killed and buried at residential schools. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation helps keep this truth at the forefront. Would the Minister of Crown and Indigenous Relations say what our government is doing to ensure that Canadians understand the continued impacts of trauma inflicted on indigenous people?”

“Denying the truth about residential schools is harmful and wrong. Our government is spending $5 million on education and public awareness so Canadians can learn the truth from survivors.”

“Mr. Speaker, efforts to deny, distort or minimize the truth about residential schools is deeply harmful and will always be condemned. Denialism is a cruel rejection of well-established facts, and it undermines the truth that is essential to reconciliation with indigenous people. That is why our government is moving forward with a $5-million investment in education and public awareness so that Canadians can continue to learn from survivors, their families and communities and better understand the painful legacy of residential schools. We will confront denialism with the truth and ensure that it is never erased or forgotten.”