Manitoba cabinet minister hints at trouble with premier's remarks on Canadian history
A Manitoba cabinet minister, saying she cannot support remarks if they add to the hurt of traumatized people, has distanced herself slightly from Premier Brian Pallister's comments on Canadian history.
Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard was asked Friday for her reaction to Pallister's remarks earlier this month that have drawn widespread condemnation from Indigenous leaders.
"We are not here to add any hurt to traumatized people, and I don't believe that anyone in their hearts intend(s) to do so, but again, we all need to listen, we all need to learn, and we need to grow together," Guillemard said.
Guillemard made similar comments on social media last week, without naming the premier, when she said she could not support hurtful remarks. She was asked Friday whether the subject of her social media post included the premier's comments.
"If that added hurt to traumatized people, absolutely," she replied.
The controversy started after protesters toppled two statues of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria on the legislature grounds. Pallister denounced the vandalism, and said people who came to Canada -- both before and after it became a country -- did not come to destroy anything but rather to build communities, churches and businesses.
Indigenous leaders said Pallister was downplaying the harmful effects of colonialism. The premier stood by his words, added he never used the word colonialism, and said he was trying to appeal for people to work together.
Pallister's Indigenous relations minister quit her cabinet post two days later. Her replacement, Alan Lagimodiere, stirred up more anger by defending some of the intent behind residential schools. He fully apologized.
The fallout grew when two Indigenous business leaders resigned from government economic development boards. One called for Pallister to resign.
Other members of the Progressive Conservative cabinet did not directly answer Friday when asked whether they support Pallister's remarks on Canadian history.
"If we're talking right now, we're not listening. We need to listen, continue to listen, have input and move forward with reconciliation," said Derek Johnson, minister of municipal relations.
"The benefits I've had as a (legislature member) is that I continue to learn every day about new things and old things, in terms of residential schools and the reconciliation process, and we're going down that path," said Reg Helwer, minister of central services.
One political analyst said the Progressive Conservative caucus seems to be sending a message.
"It gives a sense of where the caucus and cabinet are with Pallister right now.," said Royce Koop, who teaches political studies at the University of Manitoba.
"There's dissatisfaction and a willingness to gently criticize and contradict the premier. But there's no appetite to openly and aggressively denounce his comments."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.