Government Of Canada Apologizes To Former Students Of Indian Residential Schools

June 12, 2008

Ottawa – Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, attended the formal apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools.

“Yesterday, The Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, on behalf of all Canadians, delivered the apology which marked a significant moment in Canadian history,” said Menzies. “It is an important step toward healing and reconciliation.”

Menzies recognizes that the apology will not take away the sad legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system. However, he hopes the apology demonstrates that the government remains committed to a fair and lasting resolution to the Residential Schools era and to moving forward in partnership with Aboriginal people across Canada.

“The Government recognizes that the apology will not erase what happened,” said Menzies. “But by formally acknowledging the suffering of former students and the damaging impact the system had on the Aboriginal community, the Government has demonstrated its sincere commitment to achieving reconciliation with Aboriginal people across Canada.”

The apology reinforces the government’s commitment to initiatives designed to address the tragic legacy of Indian Residential Schools, notably the historic Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and its components: a Common Experience Payment; an Independent Assessment Process; Commemoration Activities; measures to support healing; and the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission.