Genuine reconciliation means stop fighting Indigenous kids in court: NDP

OTTAWA – This morning, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and the NDP Critic for Indigenous Children, Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay), restated their calls for the federal government to end their legal battles against Indigenous children. This comes as the government were back in court today to continue their unnecessary legal cases.

“I am disappointed that we are here today, once again asking the government to stop denying Indigenous children the compensation they are owed,” said Angus. “Last week our motion asking the Liberals to end their legal battles against these children passed. They are defying the will of parliament and the will of Canadians by continuing these cruel proceedings.”

During Monday’s vote on the NDP’s Opposition Day Motion, Justin Trudeau and his cabinet refused to show up to vote.

The NDP Opposition Day Motion called on Justin Trudeau to end his legal battles against Indigenous children and accept the findings of the Human Rights Tribunal. It also called on his government to end their legal battle against the survivors of the St. Anne’s Residential School. Six years after the release of the 94 Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), only a fraction have been implemented. The process of implementing these measures must be accelerated without delay. The NDP Opposition Day Motion also calls on the Liberals to table, within 10 days, a progress report on actions taken.

“Lowering flags and saying nice words means nothing while Justin Trudeau’s government continues to go to court against Indigenous children. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Singh. “New Democrats will continue to fight for Indigenous people and the justice and genuine reconciliation they deserve and will continue to push the Liberal government to uphold their rights.”