Canada’s Governor General to speak about immigration and reconciliation at event in Calgary

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is expected to speak about the importance of teaching Canada’s history, including the country’s residential school system and actions against Indigenous communities, as an act of reconciliation and citizenship for newcomers.

“There are these two very important phenomena that are happening in Canadian society. One, we accept more newcomers per capita than any developed country in the world, and that is, of course, essential to our economic survival, cultural dynamism and so much more,” said Bernhard.

“At the same time, Canada is grappling with its history and need for reconciliation with Indigenous people. And the need for reconciliation itself is in some ways caused by the fact that we did immigration very badly and irresponsibly for several hundred years, which we call colonization now.”