Supporting healing for those impacted by St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School
March 30, 2022
Williams Lake First Nation, British Columbia
The finding of unmarked graves near former residential schools across the country is a tragic reminder of the painful and lasting impacts of colonialism, and the important work that remains to be done to advance reconciliation in Canada. The Government of Canada is supporting Survivors, their families, and their communities to address historical wrongs, as well as the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual harms inflicted from residential schools.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Chief Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation today announced $2.9 million in additional funding to continue supporting healing for First Nations communities in British Columbia whose children were taken from their families and sent to St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. This funding builds on the $1.4 million that Canada provided earlier this year to help uncover potential burial sites at the former residential school.
This new funding will help the community continue conducting research, including Survivor interviews, to further uncover the truth about what happened at the school and begin the process of healing.
Earlier this year, Williams Lake First Nation released preliminary findings believed to be unmarked graves at the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. Today’s announcement will also support plans for a temporary commemorative structure in the area which will provide a safe place for people to gather and pay their respects. This community-led initiative will help impacted communities continue on their healing journey.
The Government of Canada supports all communities in their efforts to work together to develop an engagement strategy with the more than 50 surrounding First Nations affected by the former residential school. The community-based initiative will incorporate appropriate cultural protocols that reflect the diversity of communities impacted, including cultural healing work and ceremonies for Survivors, families, and communities.
Addressing the harms suffered by residential school Survivors, their families, and their communities is essential to renewing and building Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples. We will continue to support this painful but necessary work across the country to locate unmarked graves, continue to tell the stories of what happened at residential schools, and ensure the appropriate supports are available for communities to heal and commemorate those who never made it home.
Quotes
“For Survivors, their families, and their communities, the pain inflicted at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School is deep and lasting. We will continue to support Williams Lake First Nation and surrounding communities in uncovering the difficult truth of what happened to the children that were taken from their families, so they can begin the process of healing.”
“The first phase of our investigation has revealed more of the painful truth about St. Joseph’s and Canada’s residential school experience. There is a huge amount of work still to be done, and we’re thankful that Canada continues to support our efforts. Williams Lake First Nation is committed to uncovering the truth with respect to St. Joseph’s and to finding a path forward so that our members, and all of Canada, can heal.”
“Williams Lake First Nation has already begun the difficult work of gathering information to uncover the truth of what happened to their children and those who were taken from surrounding communities to attend the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. The Government of Canada will continue to support the community’s efforts as they address the needs of Survivors, their families, and the community at their own pace.”
Quick Facts
- Williams Lake First Nation includes a growing population of over 800 registered members who live on reserve in Sugar Cane, in nearby Williams Lake, British Columbia, and across the globe.
- On January 7, 2022, the Government of Canada announced funding of $1,437,460 for Williams Lake First Nation to undertake work related to burial sites associated with the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, including completing a preliminary investigation that includes interviews with former students and their families, an initial geophysical survey, and the compilation of archival and photographic records related to the disappearances and deaths of First Nations students at this institution.
- On January 25, 2022, the community of Williams Lake First Nation released preliminary geophysical findings of anomalies believed to be unmarked burial sites at the location of the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. The results revealed 93 ground reflections that require further analysis. Fifty of those reflections are outside the known local cemetery.
- In August 2021, the Government of Canada announced approximately $321 million in additional support for Indigenous-led, Survivor-centric, and culturally informed initiatives and investments to help Indigenous communities respond and heal from the ongoing impacts of residential schools.
- In total, the Government of Canada has invested $354.8 million in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 72 to 76 to support communities in finding unmarked burial sites at former residential schools and beginning the process of healing.
- So far, the Government of Canada has supported 70 communities, including 17 in British Columbia for a total of $22.4 million.
- The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program provides mental health, emotional, and cultural support services to Survivors of residential schools and their families.
- A National Residential School Crisis Line is available to access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-Hour National Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
- The Hope for Wellness Help Line is also available at 1-855-242-3310 or via the online chat function through their website.
Associated Links
- Williams Lake First Nation
- Canada and Province of British Columbia support Williams Lake First Nation’s research and commemoration activities at former residential school
- Government of Canada enhances support to Indigenous communities to respond to and heal from the ongoing impacts of residential schools
- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
- Missing children and burial information
March 30, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of the Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, former Senator for Alberta:
“It is with great sadness that I learned yesterday of the passing of former Senator Joyce Fairbairn, a wonderful friend both to my father and me, a passionate and brilliant Albertan, and above all, a truly dedicated servant of Canada.
“Senator Fairbairn spent 50 years working on Parliament Hill, where she was the first woman to serve as Leader of the Government in the Senate and championed adult literacy programs and campaigns as Minister with Special Responsibility for Literacy. Her efforts brought national attention to adult literacy, helped reduce stigma for adult learners, and provided Canadians with essential tools and resources to support their learning goals.
“In 2015, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her distinguished career and her dedication to improving the lives of Canadians. In 2018, the Senator Joyce Fairbairn Middle School in Lethbridge was duly named in her honour.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I extend our deepest condolences to Senator Fairbairn’s family and friends – we are grieving with you. She was a true champion for Canadians and will be dearly missed.”
March 29, 2022
Vancouver, British Columbia
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with British Columbia Premier and Chair of the Council of the Federation John Horgan.
The two leaders discussed the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy, which was announced earlier today by the Prime Minister at the GLOBE Forum in Vancouver, British Columbia. Premier Horgan noted British Columbia’s strong interest in collaborating with the Government of Canada on the plan and on shared climate change objectives, including creating green growth and good jobs. Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Horgan also discussed Canada’s efforts to support those affected by Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.
The leaders highlighted recent talks between governments on health care, and agreed to continue discussions to ensure Canadians are supported by effective health care systems. They also agreed to continue to collaborate on child care and housing to make life more affordable for Canadians, and to work together on other shared priorities, including climate change and infrastructure.
Associated Links
- Delivering clean air and a strong economy for Canadians
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Canada’s engagement in Ukraine
March 29, 2022
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canadians have been clear about what they want: clean air and good jobs, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. Today, the Government of Canada delivered a plan that outlines the next steps to continue delivering on those priorities for everyone.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the release of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps to Clean Air and a Strong Economy. The plan is an ambitious and achievable sector-by-sector approach for Canada to reach its new climate target of cutting emissions by 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and to put us on track toward our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Building on the actions of millions of Canadians, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, provinces, territories, and municipalities, the Government of Canada is continuing to take action to fight climate change, create jobs, and ensure that Canadians are global leaders in the transition to clean industries and technologies.
The 2030 Emissions Reductions Plan includes $9.1 billion in new investments to cut pollution and grow the economy, including:
- Making it easier for Canadians to switch to electric vehicles. We are investing more than $2.9 billion in charging infrastructure, providing financial support to make buying zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) more affordable, supporting clean medium- and heavy-duty transportation projects, and developing a regulated sales mandate so that 100 per cent of new passenger vehicles sold in Canada will be zero emission by 2035, with interim targets of at least 20 per cent by 2026, and at least 60 per cent by 2030.
- Greening Canada’s homes and buildings. By investing around $1 billion, we will develop a national net-zero by 2050 buildings plan, the Canada Green Buildings Strategy, work with provinces, territories, and other partners to support the adoption of the highest tier building codes, pilot community-scale retrofits, and facilitate deep energy retrofits for large buildings.
- Helping industries to adopt clean technology and transition to net-zero emissions. We are delivering historic investments to enable industries to be clean and competitive and creating greater incentives for clean technologies and fuels, such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
- Making Canada’s grid even cleaner. We will develop a regulated Clean Electricity Standard, make additional investments of about $850 million in clean energy projects like wind and solar power, and work with provinces and territories, stakeholders, and Indigenous partners to move Canada’s electricity grid to net-zero emissions by 2035 while continuing to ensure that Canadians and businesses have access to reliable, affordable power.
- Reducing oil and gas emissions. We will continue working closely with provinces and territories, stakeholders, and Indigenous partners to develop an approach to cap oil and gas sector emissions to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, reduce oil and gas methane emissions by at least 75 per cent by 2030, and create good jobs. The plan includes a projected contribution for the oil and gas sector of a 31 per cent reduction from 2005 levels, which is equivalent to 42 per cent from 2019 levels and will guide the government’s work to develop the cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector.
- Supporting farmers in building a clean, prosperous future. We are supporting farmers with about $1 billion for new and expanded programs to help them develop and adopt sustainable practices, energy-efficient technologies, and solutions like capturing carbon from the air.
- Empowering communities to take climate action. We are investing $2.2 billion in expanding the Low Carbon Economy Fund to support projects from governments, schools, non-profits, Indigenous Peoples, and more to cut pollution and create jobs in communities across the country.
- Embracing the power of nature to fight climate change. We will make an additional investment of $780 million to help Canada’s oceans, wetlands, peatlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands capture and store carbon, and explore the potential for negative emission technologies in the forest sector.
The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps to Clean Air and a Strong Economy reflects submissions from over 30,000 Canadians, provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, industry, civil society, and the independent Net-Zero Advisory Body. The plan represents a whole-of-society approach with practical ways to achieve emission reductions across all parts of the economy.
The Government of Canada will continue working with all Canadians to develop and implement the new policies and initiatives announced today. The government will publish an update on progress toward meeting the emissions reductions targets in late 2023.
Quotes
“Taking real climate action that is not only ambitious, but also achievable, is key to building a strong economy in the 21st century. With the additional measures announced today, we are continuing to deliver on the priorities Canadians asked us to address: clean air, good jobs, a strong economy, and a better future for everyone.”
“This is the next major step in our government’s plan to reduce pollution and create good, sustainable jobs in Canada. With our natural resources, highly skilled workforce, and strong financial system, Canada stands to benefit substantially by increasing our climate ambition. Thanks to the actions of millions of Canadians, we have flattened the curve of our pollution trajectory, and this roadmap charts the course to lowering emissions to meet our climate target of 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels. By acting collectively now, we are positioning Canada to be a leader in the clean economy.”
“The transition to a cleaner, prosperous, and more competitive economy must be an immediate priority and a sustained effort in the years ahead. Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reductions Plan outlines how we can achieve our 2030 target, while building pathways to net-zero emissions by 2050 and creating economic opportunities for Canadians across the country.”
Quick Facts
- Today’s measures build on Canada’s existing climate actions outlined under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (2016), Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy (2020), and Budget 2021. These actions have already contributed to reducing emissions in 2030 by 36 per cent from 2005 levels, while creating economic opportunities across the country.
- The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act establishes in law Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement of 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels and net-zero by 2050, and requires Canada to publish a series of plans and progress reports to support the achievement of those targets.
- The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps to Clean Air and a Strong Economy is the first of many plans on the pathway to 2050 and fulfills a requirement under the Act.
- The 2030 plan is designed to be evergreen – a comprehensive roadmap that reflects levels of ambition to guide emissions reduction efforts in each sector. As governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities across the country work together to reach these targets, we will identify and respond to new opportunities.
- To ensure Canada stays on course as it reduces emissions, the plan includes an interim greenhouse gas emissions objective of 20 per cent below the 2005 level for 2026, which is required under the Act. The Act also requires the Government of Canada to prepare progress reports by the end of 2023, 2025, and 2027.
- The Net-Zero Advisory Body is a group of experts with a diverse range of experience and expertise that advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the best pathways for Canada to achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, while growing the economy and creating good jobs.
Related Products
- Backgrounder: 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan – Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
Associated Links
- Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy
- Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
- GLOBE Forum 2022
- Delivering for Canadians now
- Prime Minister Trudeau announced enhanced and ambitious climate action to cut pollution at the COP26 summit
March 28, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The call took place following several high-level meetings in Europe last week with the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and G7 leaders, to build on Canada’s coordinated response to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister and President discussed the continuing Russian military aggression and the devastating impacts to Ukraine’s people, infrastructure, and economy. Both leaders discussed next steps in terms of required support to Ukraine, to include humanitarian, financial, and military support as well as further sanctions against Russia. Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s steadfast support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for Canada’s ongoing assistance and the two leaders agreed to keep in close touch.
Associated Links
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Prime Minister concludes successful visit to Belgium and announces additional support for Ukraine
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Canada’s engagement in Ukraine
March 28, 2022
Brampton, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, today announced an agreement that will deliver affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care for families in Ontario.
This Canada-Ontario early learning and child care agreement is a five-year deal to reduce child care fees in the short term, deliver $10-a-day child care for Ontario families, and create 86,000 new licensed early learning and child care spaces in the province.
The agreement will reduce licensed child care fees for children under six years old on average by 25 per cent as of April 1, 2022, saving Ontario families an average of about $2,200 per child. By the end of the year, fees will be further lowered, and families will see a total reduction of 50 per cent on average, saving them an average of about $6,000 per child per year. This agreement will deliver on average $10-a-day child care for Ontario families by the end of March 2026.
With the signing of this agreement, the Government of Canada has signed agreements with every province and territory to deliver on its promise to build a Canada-wide affordable, inclusive, and high-quality early learning and child care system. Our plan is already making life more affordable for families, creating new jobs, getting parents back into the workforce, and growing the middle class while giving every child a real and fair chance at success. More than half of Canada’s provinces and territories have already seen reductions in child care fees and, by the end of 2022, average fees for regulated early learning and child care spaces will be cut in half across the country.
This agreement will improve access to early learning and child care programs and services and grow a strong and skilled workforce of early childhood educators, including through better wages and greater opportunities for professional development. It will also support a child care system that is inclusive of vulnerable children and children from diverse populations, including children with disabilities and children needing enhanced or individual supports.
In addition, the agreement includes a clear commitment to begin discussions with Indigenous partners on developing a collaborative plan that supports Indigenous children’s access to affordable, high-quality, and culturally appropriate early learning and child care.
Building a child care system that works for Canadians in every region of the country is a key part of our plan to make life more affordable for families while creating good jobs and growing the economy. Through these signed agreements, the Government of Canada aims to create 250,000 new child care spaces across the country by March 2026 to give families affordable child care options, no matter where they live.
Quotes
“With the signing of today’s agreement, we’re making $10‑a‑day child care a reality for families across country. Today’s announcement will save Ontario families thousands of dollars each year – with fee reductions starting as of Friday this week – while creating jobs, growing the middle class, and giving our kids the best start in life.”
“I’m so proud of the work we’ve done with our federal partners to land an agreement that will lower costs for families across the province. Given how complex Ontario’s child care system is, we wanted to get this right. Today, we’re delivering a deal that will keep money in the pockets of hard-working parents.”
“A year ago, our government made a commitment to Canadians: to deliver affordable high-quality early learning and child care for young families across the country. Now that agreements have been reached with all provinces and territories, a cause championed by generations of forward-thinking Canadians is about to become reality. I am so pleased that today’s agreement delivers our promise to Canadians to make life more affordable for young families, create jobs, increase women's participation in the workforce and give every child the best possible start in life – no matter where they live.”
“Today’s historic agreement with Ontario means that all families in Canada now have access to the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. This is a momentous occasion based on the shared goal that every child deserves the best possible start in life. Our vision and objectives for early learning and child care are quite simple: reduce child care fees, create more spaces, ensure equitable access for all children, and grow a strong and skilled early childhood educator workforce. This agreement is an important step in ensuring that all families have access to high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive child care.”
Quick Facts
- Since last summer, the Government of Canada reached similar agreements with the governments of British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Yukon, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. The governments of Canada and Quebec also reached an asymmetric agreement to strengthen the early learning and child care system in the province.
- In total, the Government of Canada is aiming to create approximately 250,000 new child care spaces through Canada-wide agreements with provinces and territories, and already achieved its goal of creating 40,000 more affordable child care spaces before 2020 through the 2017-18 and 2019-20 Early Learning and Child Care Agreements. These new spaces will be predominantly among licensed not-for-profit, public, and family-based child care providers.
- Through this agreement, Ontario will receive $10.2 billion in federal funding through 2025-26 and an additional $2.9 billion in 2026-27, as part of the annual and ongoing $9.2 billion federal commitment from Budget 2021 for a total of $13.2 billion, to underscore the long-term commitment to building a better early learning and child care system, subject to the renewal of the agreement.
- In addition to the federal contribution, Ontario will provide $267 million under this new agreement in addition to the over $2 billion the province currently invests in early learning and child care annually.
- The governments of Canada and Ontario will create an implementation committee that will monitor progress on child care commitments in consultation with stakeholders. The Government of Canada will be represented on this committee by the Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care.
- As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of over $27 billion over five years to build the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system with provinces and territories. Combined with other investments, including in Indigenous early learning and child care, up to $30 billion over five years will be provided in support of early learning and child care.
- Investments in child care will benefit everyone across Canada. Studies show that for every dollar invested in early childhood education, the broader economy receives between $1.50 and $2.80 in return.
