'Sincerest apologies': Manitoba's Indigenous relations minister says his residential school comments were wrong
Manitoba's new minister of Indigenous relations has apologized for his comments over residential schools, but now more voices from within the Pallister government are weighing in on the recent controversies.
It's been a week since Eileen Clarke resigned as Manitoba's Indigenous and northern affairs minister in part because of controversial comments made by Premier Pallister about Manitoba’s ancestral history.
Minutes after her replacement, Alan Lagimodiere, was sworn in Thursday, telling media he believed the architects of residential schools thought they were doing the right thing, and that the schools were meant to teach children skills.
These comments prompted immediate backlash from Manitoba's opposition leader Wab Kinew, along with a number of Indigenous leaders in the province.
Now, Manitoba's Families Minister Rochelle Squires has released a statement saying she wants to live in a country brave enough to accept the awful truth of what happened.
“Therefore I am deeply troubled by recent events and comments. I am taking time to reflect, to listen to the dialogue, and come to better understand my own responsibilities towards reconciliation," Squires said in a statement.
While Lagimodiere released a statement Thursday saying he misspoke, the new Indigenous relations minister issued an official apology on Friday.
"I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous Manitobans, and Canadians whom I have offended greatly with my remarks yesterday," Lagimodiere said in the statement.
"I want to acknowledge the words I used to respond to a question about residential schools, during my first scrum as a new minister in this very important portfolio, were wrong, and I genuinely and sincerely ask for your forgiveness."
The apology was backed by fellow Cabinet member, Audrey Gordon – the minister of mental health, wellness and recovery.
“I stand behind Minister Lagimodiere in terms of his comments and his statement that what he said was not what he intended to convey," Gordon said.
Leaders outside of the legislature are condemning the remarks, and it has some – including Winnipeg's mayor – wondering whether Lagimodiere will be able to continue on as minister.
"Time will tell but yesterday certainly wasn’t a good day in our efforts to move reconciliation forward," Mayor Brian Bowman said.
A since-deleted statement released on Twitter by the PC Caucus following the confrontation between Kinew and Lagimodiere accused the opposition leader of political showmanship and bullying.
CTV News requested a comment from the PC Caucus as to why the statement was deleted, but has not heard back.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Labour minister says Canada Post workers could soon be forced back to work
Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week.
The biggest changes to Canada's mortgage rules, according to a broker
Canada's new federal mortgage rules are coming into effect Sunday. A broker says this is what would-be buyers need to know.
Top musician forced to cancel Toronto concert after Air Canada refused to give his priceless cello a seat on plane
Famed British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who became a household name after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has said he had to cancel a concert in Canada after the country’s largest airline denied his pre-booked seat for his cello.
Upcoming GST relief causes confusion for some small Canadian businesses
A tax break for the holiday season will start this weekend, giving some Canadians relief on year-end shopping. But for small businesses, confusion around what applies for GST relief has emerged.
Teen facing child porn charges after sending ex-boyfriend's photos to his parents
A teenager in Guelph is facing child pornography charges after sending nude photos of her ex-boyfriend to his parents.
B.C. Supreme Court certifies class-action lawsuit against Airbnb
The B.C. Supreme Court has certified a class-action lawsuit against Airbnb that alleges the short-term rental company has breached provincial consumer protection laws by offering unlicensed real estate brokerage and travel agent services.
Frank Stronach chooses jury trial in Toronto sexual assault case
Billionaire businessman Frank Stronach, who faces multiple sex assault charges, is opting for a preliminary inquiry and a jury trial in his Toronto case.
BREAKING Man charged with manslaughter in death of missing Cape Breton man
A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the disappearance and homicide of a man in Cape Breton this past summer.
Ontario mulls U.S. booze ban as Trump brushes off Ford's threat to cut electricity
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol.