Court rules in favour of TRC

The federal government is reviewing a decision by the Ontario Superior Court that it must disclose and provide all documents to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission related to the Indian residential schools era. In the House of Commons on Jan. 30, then-Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan said, “The decision is anything but clear-cut. The discussion, in terms of relevant documents, was left somewhat open by the judge. We believe that we have been meeting the spirit and intent, but if there is a slightly different interpretation, we will obviously meet the spirit and intent of the judge’s decision.” Under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the TRC was tasked with creating a complete historical record of the residential schools system and legacy. The federal government and the churches are to provide all relevant documents in their possession or control to and for the use of the TRC, subject to a few exceptions. “We’re grateful to be able to continue the Commission’s work of gathering and protecting for future generations documents that are relevant to the history of the Indian Residential Schools in Canada. We look forward to carrying out this work in cooperation with the Government of Canada. We especially acknowledge the clarity of Justice Goudge’s decision,” TRC Chair Justice Murray Sinclair.