NDP MP Leah Gazan requests Emergency Debate on White Nationalism and Anti-Indigenous Racism

OTTAWA- Following Canada-wide outcry surrounding the September 27th white nationalist demonstration that took place on the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) reserve, NDP MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) is requesting an emergency debate on the dangerous escalation in white nationalism and anti-Indigenous racism.

In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons requesting the emergency debate, Gazan underscored the rulings released last week by the Permanent People’s Tribunal, including that Canada has failed to comply with its international legal obligation to respond to the crimes that have been committed against Indigenous peoples. While the House of Commons unanimously recognized the Indian Residential School System as genocide in 2022, wrote Gazan, the Government of Canada has failed to respond adequately to the surge in residential school denialism across the country.

“The escalation of white nationalist groups in Canada that led to the violent demonstration on TteS land last week underscores the direct risk that residential school denialism and white nationalism pose to the safety of Indigenous peoples;" said Gazan. "It is classified as an emergency and a matter of urgent consideration for Parliament. Let Parliamentarians act on the Tribunal’s calls for Canada to combat residential school denialism by engaging in an emergency debate to determine urgent action."