National

Flag raising at B.C. legislature honours residential school survivors, lost children

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Sep, 2023 02:05 PM

Fresh fall winds helped mark a flag-raising ceremony today at the British Columbia legislature honouring residential school survivors and remembering children who never came home.

The orange and white Survivors' Flag will be flown at the front lawn of the legislature until sundown on Saturday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Indigenous leaders and politicians representing B.C.'s New Democrats, BC United and Greens participated in the flag-raising ceremony ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation when the flag will be flown at federal, provincial and municipal buildings across Canada.

Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the legislature, says he is committed to ensuring the legislature is a welcoming, inclusive place for everybody.

It was an honour to co-host and participate in raising the Survivors' Flag on the front lawn of the BC Legislature today. The flag is being flown across Canada to acknowledge and raise awareness of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/pFNCK645Fj
— Hon. Raj Chouhan (@BCLegSpeaker) September 25, 2023

He says the Survivors' Flag is a welcome sign to a legislature building that has been a physical symbol of colonialism where politicians have enacted laws that caused harm to Indigenous people in B.C.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, says the raising of the Survivors' Flag at the legislature is a historic moment representing equal treatment for all people.

"We are here today to remember, to commemorate, to honour and to mourn the loss of our little angels who did not come home from residential school," he said.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Prince George, B.C., explosion linked to pipe theft, gas buildup in structure: RCMP

Police say the explosion that destroyed a building in downtown Prince George, B.C., last month was likely caused by "unauthorized" people who broke into the property and were unaware of a natural-gas buildup inside. Prince George RCMP say fire investigators have determined there is evidence of copper pipe theft, causing damage to at least one natural gas line.

Prince George, B.C., explosion linked to pipe theft, gas buildup in structure: RCMP

Bank of Canada may need to raise rates again, despite this week's hold: Macklem

The Bank of Canada may have to raise interest rates further, given that inflation may stay high for some time, said governor Tiff Macklem Thursday. His speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce came one day after the central bank decided to hold its key interest rate steady at five per cent as signs of an economic slowdown grow.

Bank of Canada may need to raise rates again, despite this week's hold: Macklem

Trudeau eyes Indo-Pacific trade deals to avoid China aim to 'play us off each other'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada's rocky relations with China have stabilized, while telling business leaders in Singapore that Ottawa has committed to a timeline for trade deals with the region. Trudeau is undertaking a weeklong visit to Indonesia, Singapore and India with a focus on shoring up trade in a region Ottawa sees as key to counteracting coercive economic moves by China.

Trudeau eyes Indo-Pacific trade deals to avoid China aim to 'play us off each other'

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO

The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government's proposed changes to the alternative minimum tax will generate an additional $2.6 billion in revenue over five years. The tax aims to ensure high-income earners and trusts don't pay disproportionately less in taxes than other taxpayers.

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO

Federal prediction says parts of Canada could see wildfires through winter

The latest federal government forecast says Canada's already unprecedented 2023 wildfire season could continue late into the fall or winter. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says there is potential for increased wildland fire activity from eastern Alberta through to central Ontario at least until the end of this month, while fires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories will continue to smoulder.

Federal prediction says parts of Canada could see wildfires through winter

Derelict boats removal in Surrey

The City of Surrey says it will be removing derelict boats from the Nicomekl River this month. The city says boats have been illegally mooring on a narrow section of the river, dumping raw sewage and garbage into the water, and creating hazards for other boaters.