A Manitoba MP is calling on the federal government to recognize residential school denialism as inciting hate in the Criminal Code.

“Residential school denialism invites hate, full stop,” said Winnipeg MP, Gazan Urges. “It is simply a way to willfully spread hate narratives, and it must be stopped.”

Gazan recently tabled a private member’s bill which would amend the criminal code to stop the willful promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples by condoning, denying, downplaying or justifying the Indian Residential School system.

As part of her report issued this week, Kimberly Murray, Canada's special interlocutor on unmarked graves and missing children, included this measure as one of 42 legal obligations of the Government of Canada.

Murray said, “Any attempt to deny or minimize the genocide and crimes against humanity that have been perpetrated against Indigenous children and communities is an attack on the memory of those lost, incites hate, and a continuation of the genocidal process.”

Gazan is urging the Liberal government to adopt her bill as soon as possible.

“We cannot wait and allow hate to spread. We need to protect survivors now,” said Gazan.

To learn more, visit BC NDP.