B.C. Conservative leader defends residential school comments as criticism grows
CTV
The leader of the Conservative Party of BC is defending a social media post about parental rights denounced as insensitive, hurtful and political on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The leader of the Conservative Party of BC is defending a social media post about parental rights denounced as insensitive, hurtful and political on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
As Indigenous leaders were expressing optimism that the province is at a turning point in addressing the dark and complex history of residential schools, John Rustad had posted on the platform formerly known as Twitter, that “we remember what happens when the Canadian government thinks it's better at raising children than parents.”
The statement has received predominately negative responses, and a spokesperson from the Squamish First Nation expressed dismay at the timing.
“I feel for the ones that are the survivors we still have with us today and this is a day I hope they aren't on social media,” said Wilson Williams.
He pointed out that the third annual holiday brings back many painful memories for families grappling with intergenerational trauma that’s stemmed from the mistreatment of Indigenous children at residential schools – as well as colonialism and ongoing racism some children still experience in the classroom.
“It goes to show just when you think we took three steps forward, we maybe took a full step forward and a half step back,” said Wilson. “The insensitivity of it is hurtful.”
The premier and many of B.C.’s political leaders, including mayors and MLAs, issued press releases or made brief social media statements in support of the work of education and reconciliation but largely avoided making speeches and stayed out of the spotlight.
