New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh said if elected Prime Minister he would fight for justice for Indigenous children discovered at unmarked graves and burials at residential schools in Canada.
Speaking Friday on the Cowessess First Nation, which in June discovered the remains of 751 unmarked graves at the former Marieval residential school, Singh met with Chief Cadmus Delrome and walked the discovery site.
Singh described the unmarked graves as a crime and committed to appointing a special prosecutor to investigate potential criminal offenses.
“This is a crime committed against Indigenous People. This is a crime of genocide, the worst crime possible. And what we need to do is prosecuted like a crime,” Singh said. “We would appoint a special prosecutor and make sure it’s prosecuted.”
As part of his party’s commitment to support continued justice, Singh pledged to implement the Calls to Action contained in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report.
Singh also promised funding support for healing programs for inter-generational victims of residential schools experiencing trauma. He did not commit to a dollar figure.
(Screenshot of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh after meeting Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delrome.)