Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this morning acknowledged the pain of Indigenous mothers who had to bury their children after interactions with police, but also called for a national inquiry into systemic racism in policing. I couldn’t get around to tackling it.
Prime Minister Trudeau was addressing the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa this morning, two days after chiefs passed a resolution calling for an investigation into police and police-related deaths.
The resolution was announced after nine Indigenous people were killed in less than four weeks in August and September.
Three mothers who lost sons or daughters during or after interactions with police have made an emotional appeal to the government to reform the RCMP.
Prime Minister Trudeau acknowledged their presence and said no one had to bury any children, but he declined to respond to an inquiry.
Today marks the final day of a three-day rally focused on child welfare reform and police harm to Indigenous communities.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also slammed Conservative Leader Pierre Poièvre’s record on Indigenous issues in parliament.
Mr. Poilievre was invited to speak, but did not speak.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves — François Blanchet addressed the gathering only in French. He was booed when he told the chiefs that he was sensitive to the fact that the French came to Canada hundreds of years ago, but needed to be aware of the current situation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024.
