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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.