'Embarrassed': NDP MP calls on Randy Boissonnault to resign over false Indigenous claims

A Métis member of Parliament is calling on the employment minister to resign over what he calls harmful false claims to Indigenous ancestry.

A Métis member of Parliament is calling on the employment minister to resign over what he calls harmful false claims to Indigenous ancestry.

Randy Boissonnault has been described as Indigenous multiple times in communications from the Liberal party.

In 2018 at a heritage committee meeting, he referred to himself as "non-status adopted Cree from Alberta," adding his great-grandmother was a "full-blooded Cree woman" — a statement he has repeated on other occasions.

He recently walked back those comments and said his family members belong to the Métis Nation of Alberta, after reporting by the National Post revealed that a company he co-owned had applied for government contracts while claiming to be Indigenous-owned.

The Opposition Conservatives focused their question period attacks on Boissonnault and his identity claims both Monday and Tuesday, demanding he be fired.

NDP MP Blake Desjarlais joined those calls Tuesday. Desjarlais, who is Métis, told reporters Tuesday that Indigenous people have been victimized by what has happened, and that people in Boissonnault's Edmonton Centre riding are "embarrassed."

"This race-shifting that's taking place is very concerning," Desjarlais said.