I was always proud to celebrate Canada Day. This is the country my family chose because it was perceived as a place that offered opportunity and embraced diversity. Canada remains a destination for many people around the world fleeing persecution, discrimination, and conflict. As an MP, I have had the chance to welcome new Canadians at their citizenship ceremonies and as I reminded them that citizenship brings treaty obligations, I also took pride in celebrating our country. 

While I remain proud of aspects of our country, the discoveries at two former residential institutions of the bodies of a thousand children taken from their homes casts a long shadow on any celebration. For many non-Indigenous Canadians it is a harsh wake-up call to a truth that has long been known by Indigenous peoples, and which was recounted in the deliberations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

The events preceding this Canada Day have brought into sharp focus the conflicting realities about what Canada is, what it has been, and to whom. The truth is that we have an ugly history punctuated by sparkles of beauty. As a country we need to reflect on this history and how we want our future to look. 

The story of Canada is being written today and we need to get it right. As a federal representative, the responsibility of reconciliation weighs heavily on me. I am committed to doing everything I can to leave behind a legacy that our children and grandchildren can be proud of.

The words of Chief Cadmus Delorme of Cowessess First Nation struck a chord with me as I considered the implications of this upcoming Canada Day:

I would never tell somebody what to and what not to celebrate. You know, in 2021, we all inherited this. Nobody today created residential schools. Nobody today created the Indian Act. Nobody today created the Sixties Scoop. But we all inherited this. And if we want to say we're proud Canadians, then we will accept the beautiful country we have today, and we will accept what we all inherited. And what I would challenge is: Everybody on Canada Day in this country, if you say you're a proud Canadian, read the Truth and Reconciliation 'Calls to Action.' Over 100,000 residential school survivors told their story - including my parents — and they created the Truth and Reconciliation 'Calls to Action.' Bring that into your personal life, your social life, your business life.

However you choose to spend July 1st this year, please know that I will continue to work on reconciliation. One part of that work is to help our country mark its first ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th (Call to Action #80), which will provide us with an annual day on which to reflect, remember and reconcile. 

Please watch Chief Cadmus Delorme’s interview with CBC.

Here are the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions’ Calls to Action.

If you would like to learn about the land where we reside, you can review the Native Land map here: https://native-land.ca/.

Please know that a mental health resources are available to residential school survivors and their loved ones through this line: 1-866-925-4419.