Thanksgiving is about more than just giving thanks - it’s about giving back, too. And this morning in Orléans, along with Marie-France Lalonde, I joined Carmen and others who were busy doing exactly that.
To everyone who helped put together these Thanksgiving hampers for the Rahimi family and other families who recently resettled from Afghanistan, thank you. Being there for one another is the Canadian way - and you’re setting a great example for everyone.
Last week, the Lower Post residential school was demolished. It was a place of terror and a source of trauma, and its demolition showed the promise and possibilities of reconciliation. We’ll continue to work in partnership with Indigenous peoples to advance this healing. 🇨🇦 La semaine dernière, le pensionnat de Lower Post a été démoli. La démolition de ce lieu de terreur et de traumatismes nous montre la promesse et les possibilités qu’offre la réconciliation. On va continuer de travailler avec les peuples autochtones pour favoriser cette guérison.
“In light of the gruesome discoveries involving First Nation’s children I believe this day should carry an air of remembrance and mourning. The souls of those stolen, raped, tortured and murdered children do not deserve to have to look up from their unmarked graves and witness our jubilant celebration of a country that allowed them to die.
As a man that has travelled quite a bit I have a very deep appreciation for our quality of life, and realize we are designated as fortunate simply for being born roughly north of the 49th parallel and sandwiched between the great Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Although I will always cherish being Canadian, and hold dear the diversity, political and religious freedoms many of us take for granted, today I am keeping that to myself. There is a dark history buried under the foundation of our country that although hidden from record books is now immersing and craving justice.
Today doesn’t feel like a Canada day celebration. We should all question how we carry ourselves out of respect for our neighbours. We should fly our flags low or not at all. It’s a Canada day, but not a happy one.”
As people across the country continue to honour the Indigenous children whose lives were taken far too soon, and as we reflect on the tragedy of residential schools, I have asked that the flag on the Peace Tower remain at half-mast for Canada Day. 🇨🇦 Alors que les gens à travers le pays continuent de rendre hommage aux enfants autochtones dont la vie a été prise beaucoup trop tôt et de réfléchir à la tragédie des pensionnats, j’ai demandé que le drapeau de la Tour de la Paix reste en berne pendant la fête du Canada.
