NDP MP reintroduces bill to jail people for “residential school denialism”
A proposed new law could send people to jail for “residential school denialism”, as NDP MP Leah Gazan pushes to criminalize speech.
A proposed new law could send people to jail for “residential school denialism”, as NDP MP Leah Gazan pushes to criminalize speech.
“Today I will be reintroducing my bill that aims to address residential school denialism,” Gazan wrote Friday on X. “We must uphold the dignity and safety of survivors, families and communities.”
The bill, titled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples), would expand Canada’s hate speech laws to include denialism related to the residential school system.
It proposes changes to Section 319 of the Criminal Code, making it an offence to wilfully condone, deny or downplay the “genocide” committed through residential schools — unless done in private conversation.
If passed, the offence could carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison if prosecuted by indictment, or a lesser penalty under summary conviction.
The bill includes exemptions for truth, good-faith religious belief, and statements made in the public interest that the speaker reasonably believed to be true.
Gazan originally tabled a version of the bill in 2022, but it failed to advance past first reading. She reintroduced the legislation Friday amid ongoing concerns about the spread of disinformation and inflammatory commentary surrounding residential school history, including unmarked graves.
Her renewed push also comes as the federal government quietly moves to phase out funding for key residential school initiatives. Internal documents revealed in February show long-term federal support will begin winding down in 2026 for ground searches, commemoration events, and archival records related to residential schools.
The bill received first reading Friday in the House of Commons.
Is Canada really this far gone? I thought they wanted TRUTH My Uncle; Ojibway fought for Canada in WW2 aboard a corvette. In the Canadian Navy. He told me, he had very good memories He also taught me many things. God Bless him!
"Survivors" of residential schools? Better off than staying at home. Probably more survivors than those that stayed in their town. Those towns were and are awful.