Prime Minister Trudeau offers more support for Indigenous People after burial site found

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is “appalled” at the policy that ripped Indigenous children from their families and placed them in residential schools.

It’s a policy that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission found amounted to a
“cultural genocide” back in 2015.

Trudeau offered sombre words about the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, calling it “heartbreaking news.”

He plans to speak with the three cabinet ministers who oversee Indigenous policy and funding on what steps can be done to support survivors, families and Indigenous Peoples.

Meanwhile, federal New Democrats are calling for an emergency debate in the House of Commons on the grisly discovery in British Columbia.

I’ve requested the Speaker allow for an Emergency Debate on the discovery of the graves of #215children

We grieve for these children and demand accountability from the federal govt

This govt must end all legal actions against Indigenous children & residential school survivors pic.twitter.com/V7Q38POQVW

— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) May 31, 2021

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the government has not done enough to implement the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which spent years studying the government-sponsored, church-run institutions.

RELATED STORY: Tribute left in Stoney Creek after burial site found at former B.C. residential school