Prentice Not Sold On Residential School Apology

Prentice Not Sold On Residential School Apology

Wednesday, November 08, 2006 at 13:15

Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice is refusing to commit to an apology to survivors of the residential schools.

Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Gary Merasty raised the issue in the House of Commons yesterday.

When Merasty called on the government to apologize to the victims for the treatment they suffered in the residential schools, Prentice replied that the compensation agreement did not call for an apology.

The Indian Residential School Settlement is distributing $1.9 billion in common experience payments to 80,000 Aboriginal people who are former students.

The deal also offers funding for healing and commemorative projects.

Merasty says this chapter in Canadian history cannot be closed until the government apologizes to survivors.