Manitoba premier opposes criminalizing residential school denialism, backs education instead

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 10, 2026

Photo Courtesy: CBC News

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says denying or downplaying the harms of Canada’s residential school system should not become a criminal offence, arguing that public education is the better way to counter misinformation.

Kinew made the remarks Friday in response to federal NDP MP Leah Gazan’s proposal to amend Canada’s Criminal Code to address residential school denialism.

Gazan’s Bill C-254 seeks to criminalize statements that promote hatred against Indigenous people by condoning, denying, justifying or minimizing the residential school system.

The Manitoba MP first introduced the legislation in October 2024, but the bill died when a federal election was called in 2025.

Kinew said he respects Gazan’s efforts but does not believe criminal law is the appropriate response. He argued that continued education and efforts to correct misinformation are necessary to address denialist claims.

Gazan, however, has argued that stronger protections are needed for residential school Survivors and their families, saying denialism can fuel hatred and undermine reconciliation.

The debate comes amid renewed national attention to misinformation about residential schools and their legacy. The Canadian government has also committed funding to public education initiatives aimed at countering denialism and improving understanding of the system’s history and its lasting effects on Indigenous communities.

Residential schools operated for generations under government-supported policies that separated Indigenous children from their families and communities. Survivors have documented experiences of abuse, cultural suppression and lasting intergenerational harm.

The disagreement highlights a broader debate over how Canada should respond to residential school denialism, including the balance between protecting Indigenous communities from hate and misinformation and determining whether criminal penalties are an appropriate tool.