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
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.