Canada’s Justin Trudeau ‘regrets’ beach holiday on day to honour Indigenous survivors
- The prime minister, whose itinerary initially said he was in Ottawa for private meetings, drew flak after he was filmed on Vancouver Island instead
- The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was declared after the discovery of 215 children found buried at a former residential school in British Columbia
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday he made a mistake travelling for a holiday last week on a day meant to honour Indigenous survivors of Canada’s residential schools system.
The newly reelected prime minister has faced intense criticism for the September 30 trip after he was filmed on a beach on Vancouver Island.
His itinerary initially reported he was in Ottawa for private meetings.
“Travelling on the 30th was a mistake, and I regret it,” Trudeau said at a news conference. “This first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation was an important moment for all of us – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – to reflect, and to remember.”
Trudeau thanked a local chief for taking his call on the weekend so he could apologise for not accepting an invitation to her community on the day.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was declared by Trudeau’s government after the discovery of 215 children found buried at a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia, attracted worldwide attention this year.