'Long time coming:' Manitoba premier apologizes to two men switched at birth in 1955

Manitoba’s premier has officially apologized to two men who were switched at birth in a Manitoba hospital more than 60 years ago.

Wab Kinew stood in the Manitoba legislature to deliver the apology to Edward Ambrose and Richard Beauvais, who were born on the same day in 1955 in Arborg, Man., but went home with different parents.

“I rise today to deliver an apology that has been a long time coming, for actions that harmed two children, two sets of parents and two families across many generations,” Kinew told the two men, who were seated in the legislature Thursday afternoon.

In 2022, Beauvais, who was raised Metis, took an at-home ancestry kit he got as a gift. It came back saying he was Ukrainian and Jewish.

That same year, Ambrose's sister also did an at-home ancestry kit. Her results showed a brother living in British Columbia, which turned out to be Beauvais.

The news upended both men’s lives as they tried to navigate their pasts and what it meant for their futures.

"We sincerely apologize for our failure to care for you, to protect you, to ensure you would grow up with the love of the famiies that welcomed you into this world," Kinew said.

Edward Ambrose, left, wipes away a tear as he and Richard Beauvais, right, who were switched at birth in 1955, listen as Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew apologizes in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Manitoba Thursday, March 21, 2024. Kinew apologized to the men for being switched at birth in a rural Manitoba hospital in 1955. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

Ambrose, who was raised Ukrainian, became a member of the Manitoba Metis Federation in February 2024 after learning of his true heritage.

David Chartrand, president of the MMF, said it will still be a challenge for Ambrose to fully connect with his heritage after nearly 70 years, but he is working hard.

“You can see how hungry he is in the sense of trying to find truly who he really is,” Chartrand said. “He's really adapting very well.”

Chartrand said he is proud Ambrose has learned his history.

“At the end of the day, we'll do everything in our power to make sure Mr. Ambrose is truly feeling like he is home.” 

The two men praised Kinew following the apology.

"I would like to say thank you to Mr Kinew.," Beauvais said. I thought he did an excellent job. Not only at the speech, but also when we met with him before."

"It was what I was looking for," Ambrose said. 

The men’s case is the third known case of babies switched at birth in Manitoba.

Norman Barkman and Luke Monias of Garden Hill First Nation, a fly-in community 400 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, revealed in 2015 that DNA tests proved they were switched at birth at the Norway House Indian Hospital in 1975.

Later, DNA tests showed two men from Norway House Cree Nation, Leon Swanson and David Tait, Jr., were switched at birth at the same hospital earlier that year.

With files from The Canadian Press  

Manitoba premier Wab Kinew, left, welcomes Richard Beauvais, centre, and Edward Ambrose, right, to his office in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Manitoba on March 21, 2024. Edward Ambrose and Richard Beauvais were born in a municipally run hospital in Arborg, Man., in 1955 and were sent home with each other's parents. Kinew is slated to offer the apology in the legislature chamber. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)