OTTAWA – Following a ruling by the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal that the Government of Canada’s current policies constitute an ongoing genocide against Indigenous Peoples, MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) is demanding answers from the Liberal government.

The Tribunal – an international body that investigates human rights violations — issued the interim ruling on Friday after hearing testimony from Residential School Survivors, families and Indigenous community members last week. Those testifying described the horrific abuse students experienced and the ongoing failures of the government to protect the health and wellbeing of Survivors and their families.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Carney and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Rebecca Alty, Gazan called out recent cuts by the Liberals to Indigenous programming, writing that “[i]n light of the tribunal’s findings, I ask that you explain how the government intends to reconcile these funding reductions with its stated commitment to reconciliation and Indigenous human rights.”

Gazan reminded Prime Minister Carney and Minister Alty that in 2023, the House of Commons unanimously agreed to her motion that what happened in residential schools constituted an act of genocide.

“The legacy of residential schools is not over. Canada must not retreat from its responsibilities. It must fully support the work necessary to advance justice, healing, and Indigenous self-determination.”