AFTER the Federal Court dismissed Ottawa’s appeals of two human rights tribunal rulings concerning First Nations child welfare compensation and protection, the NDP’s Charlie Angus said in a statement: “Today was an absolute victory for First Nation children. For six years Justin Trudeau spent millions fighting the rights of Indigenous children and trying to overturn a ruling that found his government guilty of ‘wilful and reckless’ discrimination against vulnerable Indigenous kids. The court has thrown his case out.”

Angus added: “We are calling on Mr. Trudeau to immediately end his legal battle against First Nation children and accept his responsibility to deal with their systemic denial of rights. He needs to close funding gaps and address the chronic denial of services.

“Given that tomorrow [Thursday, September 30] is the first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is imperative that the federal government finally take clear steps towards truth, justice and reconciliation for all Indigenous people in Canada.”