NationTalk: When so little has changed in the lives of Indigenous peoples, it is hard to believe that Canada is truly on a path to reconciliation. The legacy of colonialism is not something we can leave behind, but an ongoing reality. It is alive in the structural and systemic inequalities that continue to oppress communities. A lack of access to safe, affordable and reliable water on reserves is one of many examples. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not fulfill his promise to lift all boil water advisories on reserves by 2021. There are currently 30 communities with long-term advisories. The fact that, in 2024, so many of our people are deprived of such basic human rights is cause for alarm. 

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its Final Report with 94 Calls to Action, which provides a roadmap to address the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. This moment was meant to be a turning point. It gave us hope that Canada was ready to address past and ongoing harms. 

But nearly a decade later, progress has been deeply disappointing — only roughly 14 of 94 Calls to Action have been fully implemented. The ones selected favour symbolism over substance. For example, in response to Call to Action 80, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in June 2021. As the sponsor of this government legislation in the Senate, I was emotional when it was quickly adopted after more than six months at a standstill in the House of Commons. However, it was bittersweet that progress only came due to the public outrage over the earlier announcement of potential unmarked burials at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. 

This situation taught me that even symbolic gestures of reconciliation face an uphill battle in Ottawa. As a result, I am disappointed but not surprised that some of the most crucial Calls to Action, seeking to address structural inequalities in health care, education, justice and child welfare, remain largely ignored. It is not uncommon to complete the easiest tasks first before moving to the more difficult ones. Unfortunately, in the context of reconciliation, inaction has immediate and serious consequences for Indigenous peoples, such as more suffering and even death. 

The promise of meaningful and lasting reconciliation often feels like a far-off dream, obscured by empty promises. We see politicians wear orange shirts or pins on September 30 to show their commitment to reconciliation. However, when it comes time to make hard decisions — like addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system, or the staggering rates of violence, including murder, experienced by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people — that same commitment is largely absent. 

It is not enough for politicians to engage in performative words and actions once a year. We need them to deliver systemic changes that improve the lived experiences of Indigenous people in Canada. This federal government has arguably made more progress on reconciliation than its predecessors (despite still falling significantly short). A lot more work is needed and we cannot risk moving backwards. 

While progress remains frustratingly and dangerously slow, I believe that reconciliation is a national imperative. This hope is not born of naivety but of a belief in the determination of Indigenous peoples to keep building the future we envision for ourselves, one where we cannot simply survive but thrive. The growing public awareness of the true history of this country, particularly among younger generations, is also encouraging. However, meaningful reconciliation requires consistent and concrete actions to change the status quo. It further involves holding governments and broader society accountable for the promises of reconciliation. 

Canada is at a crossroads. We can continue on a path of broken promises where Indigenous peoples continue to be marginalized. The other path is challenging but offers hope. It calls on Canada to confront the past with honesty, but also to dismantle the systems that harm Indigenous peoples. 

How hard are we willing to work to make reconciliation a reality? The future of Canada will depend on the individual and collective choices we make now. 

Brian Francis
PSG – Prince Edward Island

Senator Brian Francis is Mi’kmaq from Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island). He is chair of the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoplesand a Survivor and Intergenerational Survivor of the Indian Day School system.