Statement from Conservatives on lives lost at Kamloops residential school

Statement from Conservatives on lives lost at Kamloops residential school

May 28, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – Jamie Schmale, Conservative Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations, Cathy McLeod, MP for Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo, and Gérard Deltell, House Leader of the Official Opposition, released the following statement:

“The news yesterday of the remains of 215 children found buried at a former residential school in Kamloops is tragic beyond words. We wish to express our deepest sympathies to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc nation and to the surrounding Indigenous communities who are sharing in this trauma.

“We also want to acknowledge the deep sorrow and mourning that all Indigenous peoples and survivors of Residential schools are experiencing at this time.

“While communities and families grapple with this unthinkable revelation, we must come together to provide whatever assistance is necessary to aid in the healing process, including the resources needed to protect, honour, and identify the children.

“The legacy of residential schools is a national shame that has had a profoundly lasting and damaging impact on Indigenous culture, heritage, and language.

“This is a somber reminder that so much more work needs to be done to address the devastating and harmful effects that residential schools had, and still have, on many survivors today.

“To those who loved these children, know that the whole of Canada mourns with you. Your losses and their lives will never be forgotten.”

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