Governor General centres 'lifelong journey' of reconciliation in throne speech
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, the first Inuk person to serve in the role, centred the theme of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Tuesday's speech from the throne with an introduction -- delivered in English, French and Inuktitut -- that she had written herself.
"I encourage you to seek out the truth, and to learn about the lived realities in First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities," Simon said in the speech delivered in the Senate chamber.
"Although each community is distinct, we all share a desire to chart a way forward together towards reconciliation."
She also touched upon the finding by First Nations of hundreds of unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools across Canada earlier this year.
"We cannot hide from these discoveries. They open deep wounds," she said in French.
At the same time, she said there is hope.
"Reconciliation is not a single act, nor does it have an end date. It is a lifelong journey of healing, respect and understanding," she said.
Simon, who was born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec, is a well-known advocate for Inuit culture and rights. She has served as the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national advocacy organization for Inuit. She was also Canada's ambassador to Denmark and the Canadian ambassador for circumpolar affairs.
When she was named as Governor General in June, she responded to questions about her lack of fluency in French by saying she was denied the chance to learn the language while attending federal government day schools as a child.
Throne speeches are written by the Prime Minister's Office but governors general can add some lines of their own.
The speech from the throne has the Liberal government promising to bring together all levels of government as well as Indigenous Peoples to attract business to Canada.
It says federal government will continue to respond to the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated the history and harmful legacy of residential schools in Canada, by creating a national monument to honour survivors. It will also name a special interlocutor to seek justice on residential schools.
At the intersection of mental health and Indigenous Peoples, the government will invest in a mental health and wellness strategy that is distinctions-based -- meaning that it will take into account the different needs of First Nations, Inuit and Metis -- and guided by Indigenous Peoples, residential school survivors and their families.
The government is also committing to work to remedy the issue of Indigenous family separation by the child-welfare system, while ensuring compensation for those harmed by those services.
The speech says the government will speed up action in collaboration with Indigenous partners to address the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ people.
It also says reconciliation requires a "whole-of-government" approach, breaking barriers and creative strategies for accelerating the work that needs to be done.
The government is also pledging to help close the gaps that First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities continue to face, mentioning the standing long-term drinking water advisories and putting in place the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Lynne Groulx, CEO of the Native Women's Association of Canada, said that while the speech's theme of reconciliation came through clearly, she is concerned about whether those commitments will be executed with meaningful action.
One example of the federal government's lack of concrete action on reconciliation, said Groulx, is its action plan in response to the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
"We have concerns that what they're going to do again, is take some funding that is very short term, put it on the table, and it's not going to be what's actually needed, which is a long-term investment in resolving some of these issues," she said.
Groulx said: "If the government in the day had enough money to build all those residential schools, they need to find the funding now to build as many places that we need for healing and fix some of the problems here."
She said instead of taking action through top-down bureaucratic systems, the government should empower organizations that work with Indigenous communities and have Indigenous-led and elder-led solutions.
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet said in French that in the throne speech, the government used a lot of buzzwords including references to Indigenous peoples, but it was light on substance and detail on concrete steps.
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said his party is there to be the voice of Canadians on a number of issues, including those who want "to see real progress on the path to reconciliation and not just symbolic gestures."
In his response to the throne speech, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh did not comment specifically on the commitments on Indigenous reconciliation, but said the Liberal government is one that "has run out of ideas, and run out of steam."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2021.
------
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest finally got down to musical business Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man arrested after allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Toronto police say a man has been taken into custody after he was allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's mansion in Bridle Path Saturday afternoon.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Local Spotlight
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
'Oh Crap!' New exhibit at Canada Science and Technology Museum explores human waste
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'
Regina police hope new biometric monitoring system will save lives in detention facility
The Regina Police Service says it is the first in Saskatchewan and possibly Canada to implement new technology in its detention facility that will offer real-time monitoring of detainees’ vital health metrics.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors bet on who will win Round 2 of the playoffs. Here's what's at stake
The stakes have been set for a bet between Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors on who will win Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
'No other life taken': Mother leads ATV helmet drive to honour daughter's legacy
A grieving mother is hosting a helmet drive in the hopes of protecting children on Manitoba First Nations from a similar tragedy that killed her daughter.