NDP MP Leah Gazan is calling on the federal government to criminalize residential school denialism, a move that could have serious implications for freedom of speech and journalism in Canada.
Gazan wants the Liberals to adopt her private member’s bill as government legislation, arguing that criminalizing denialism would protect residential school survivors and prevent hate.
The call comes amid controversy over Rebel News merchandise featuring slogans such as “Dig Deeper” and “Still No Proof.” The shirts call for further investigation into unmarked grave claims at former residential school sites, not the denial of the harms associated with residential schools.
But Gazan’s demand raises an important question: where does legitimate scrutiny end and criminal speech begin? Journalists must be able to investigate claims made by public institutions, particularly when those claims have significant consequences for public policy and spending.
Drea Humphrey has launched ReconciliationOverreach.com, an initiative to investigate spending and accountability within what she describes as the reconciliation industry.
Criminalizing questions about residential school claims risks discouraging the very scrutiny that journalism is meant to provide. Survivors deserve dignity, but that should not come at the expense of open debate or the public’s right to ask questions.
