Manitoba premier opposes criminalizing residential school denialism

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says denying or downplaying residential schools is harmful, but should not be a crime.

He wants education to counter misinformation.

MP Leah Gazan has proposed a bill that would make public statements denying, justifying or minimizing the system illegal.

The bill is still at an early stage in Parliament.

The debate matters because it concerns how to protect survivors and families while addressing false claims about a painful part of Canada’s history.