As expected, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission handed down their interim report yesterday, the full, multi-volume report due in the coming months, and the closing ceremonies for the Commission will be held at Rideau Hall tomorrow with the PM and others in attendance. The report makes 94 recommendations, among them having the government sign onto the UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights, enshrining Aboriginal languages in legislation, reforms to health, justice and education, amending the Oath of Citizenship to include mention of the treaties, and calling for both a new Royal Proclamation and for the Pope to come to Canada to apologise to Aboriginals within the year. (The Vatican “embassy” in Ottawa said the request will be sent as a “high priority.”) Justice Sinclair also warns that words of apology aren’t enough, and that actions need to happen for real reconciliation to happen. Of the three main party leaders, only the Liberals committed to implementing all recommendations, the NDP being a bit more evasive and talking about consultations on priorities, while the Conservatives have begged off committing until they can study the report. Here are some samples of testimony, and some of the feelings that greeted the report.
Good reads:
- The Duffy Trial looked at a trip to BC that seems more about visiting a grandchild than legitimate Senate business. Meanwhile, tempers in the courtroom are flaring.
- Firearms advocates and libertarians are warning the government that C-51 could split the conservative movement and pave the road for NDP-Liberal coalitions.
- Federal bureaucrats were deleting emails warning of the shooting on October 22nd because they were flagged as spam. Oops.
- The government has bowed to opposition pressure and is extending some basic protection to interns.
- Mike Moffatt asks some questions about what the potential voluntary CPP additional contributions are supposed to solve.
- I write about how Michael Chong’s Reform Act can’t bring any accountability to leaders, the way it claims.
Odds and ends:
In case, you’re curious, here’s what Peter MacKay’s pension is going to be.
The government announced their future space programme plans, and possible Canadian astronaut flights by 2024.
Jacques Parizeau passed away on Monday night, and Paul Wells, Martin Patriquin and Chantal Hébert write about him and his legacy.