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- calendar_today October 12, 2026
Indigenous Leaders Voice Concerns Over Premier's Comments
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is facing criticism from Indigenous groups following his recent remarks suggesting that residential school denialism should not be considered a crime. Kinew made the comments during an interview with Marcy Markusa, host of CBC Manitoba's Information Radio, in response to federal NDP MP Leah Gazan's proposed legislation on the issue.
Debate Over Criminalization Versus Education
Kinew expressed respect for MP Gazan but stated, "I don't think we can criminalize this. I think we have to just do the continued work of educating people and trying to combat misinformation." Gazan's private member's bill seeks to amend the Criminal Code to make it illegal to condone, deny, justify or minimize the residential school system in Canada, outside of private conversation. The bill targets the promotion of hatred against Indigenous people related to the legacy of residential schools.
Indigenous Groups Call for Accountability Mechanisms
Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, president of the National Family and Survivors Circle, stated that Kinew's remarks "create further harm" for survivors of residential schools and others affected by their legacy. Anderson-Pyrz, whose siblings were forced to attend residential school, emphasized the need for both education and accountability mechanisms. "Education is important, but we also need accountability mechanisms to prevent further harm from being caused to Indigenous communities," she said.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs also voiced their disappointment, issuing a statement on social media calling Kinew's stance "extremely disappointing." When asked for further response, a spokesperson from Kinew's office indicated that his previous comments still stand.
Historical Context of Residential Schools
From the 1830s until 1997, residential schools in Canada forcibly removed First Nations, Inuit and Métis children from their families, sending them to institutions often far from home. Designed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, these schools were predominantly government-funded and run by Christian religious organizations. It is estimated that 150,000 children attended these schools, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has documented more than 4,000 deaths among attendees.
Leah Gazan Pushes for Legal Changes
Leah Gazan, NDP MP for Winnipeg Centre, said her bill aims to add residential school denialism to the existing section of the Criminal Code that criminalizes Holocaust denialism. According to Gazan, "Some people don't want to be educated. I think it's another burden that we're placing on survivors. It's another form of violence. It's another attack on dignity, safety and security." She argued that a combination of education and legal consequences is necessary, particularly for those spreading disinformation from positions of power.
While Gazan's recent request for an emergency debate in the House of Commons was not approved, she has pledged to continue advocating for the legislative changes. Her bill, known as Bill C-254, was initially introduced in October 2024 but died with the spring 2025 election. It was reintroduced in October 2025 but has not yet reached its second reading. For the bill to become law, it must pass three readings, committee reviews, and final debates before royal assent can be granted.
Continuing the Criminalization Debate
The debate over how best to address residential school denialism—through education, accountability mechanisms, or criminalization—remains ongoing among Indigenous leaders, policymakers, and advocates. As Indigenous survivors and their supporters respond to the legacy of the residential school system, the discussion reflects broader questions about reconciliation, truth, and justice in Canada.
Source: cbc.ca.
