Another important step in reconciliation efforts in Canada.
The Senate has passed a motion presented by Manitoba Senator Mary Jane McCallum calling for an apology of the Senate for their and Canada’s role in the creation of the residential school system.
Kenora MP Eric Melillo says, “Obviously a very important decision and happy to see that it passed unanimously. This is something that I think will give a lot of relief to people that were part of the residential school system or have families that have been involved.”
He adds, “It’s important to acknowledge those past wrongs and take steps to rectify them so I think that acknowledgment is obviously an important first step. Happy that the Senate has taken that initiative and delivered on it.”
The federal government says this is a monumental admission for a Chamber that had refused to acknowledge their role in the creation of the system.
The motion reads:
That the Senate of Canada:
(a) acknowledge that racism, in all its forms, was a cornerstone upon which the residential school system was created;
(b) acknowledge that racism, discrimination and abuse were rampant within the residential school system;
(c) acknowledge that the residential school system, created for the malevolent purpose of assimilation, has had profound and continuing negative impacts on Indigenous lives, cultures and languages; and
(d) apologize unreservedly for Canada’s role in the establishment of the residential school system, as well as its resulting adverse impacts, the effects of which are still seen and felt by countless Indigenous peoples and communities today
In a statement, Senator McCallum stressed she wanted to ensure that it is known that credit and ownership of this motion rests with those former students, such as Garnet Angeconeb in Sioux Lookout, who had wished to see this moved forward.
Here is the weekly update from Kenora MP Eric Melillo:
Dear Constituents,
Last weekend I enjoyed spending time at the Dryden Fall Fest before heading to watch the Sioux Lookout Bombers inaugural game. I’d like to congratulate all those in Sioux Lookout who worked to bring this team to the town. As hockey teams across the region begin their seasons, I’d like to wish them all a safe, and luck-filled season.
Voting for No New Taxes
This week, my colleagues and I introduced a motion calling for a moratorium on new taxes. In a time when Canadians are struggling to afford basic necessities such as groceries, gas and prescriptions the government should not be planning to introduce or raise any taxes.
Unfortunately all Liberal and NDP representatives voted against this motion, so it failed.
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to ask the Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance if the Liberal government would commit to not tripling taxes on Canadians. Instead, of giving me an answer the Minister dodged the question refusing to comment on if the government will move forward with their planned tax increases.
Shortages of Pediatric Pain Medicine
As cold and flu season begins, parents across the country are already noticing a severe shortage in basic OTC pediatric pain medicine. My colleagues and I are calling on the government to allow for the import and sale of foreign language labelled products with the same drug formulations to immediatedly address this shortage. Further, we’re calling on the government to examine existing supply chains to ensure this shortage does not occur again in the future.
Electoral Redistribution Hearings
I enjoyed attending the electoral boundary changes public hearings in Kenora and Sioux Lookout this week. It was great to see so many people take the chance to express their opinions and concerns regarding the proposed changes. I appreciated the opportunity to address the Commission and convey my concerns over their proposed changes which will remove a seat from Northern Ontario. I believe Northern Ontario deserves more representation, not less and am hopeful the Commission will reconsider their changes.
Working for You
If you’re planning to be in Ottawa, and are interested in attending Question Period or taking a tour of Parliament please let me know and my office can help reserve Question Period and tour tickets.
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please call me at 807-223-2182 (Dryden) or 807-468-2170 (Kenora) or email me at eric.melillo@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
Eric Melillo
Member of Parliament
