Trudeau flies to B.C. to be with family on first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spent part of Canada's first national day for Truth and Reconciliation flying to Tofino, B.C., where he joined his family.

But his office denied Trudeau was taking a vacation on a day meant to commemorate the estimated 150,000 Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools.

Many of those children suffered physical and sexual abuse, malnutrition and neglect. More than 4,000 are believed to have died.

Spokesman Alex Wellstead said Trudeau spent "hours" on the phone Thursday speaking to survivors of the schools, "to hear their stories of trauma and healing, to hear their advice on the path forward."

Trudeau's itinerary for the day initially said he was in "private meetings" in Ottawa.