Pallister Insults Louis Riel - Founder of Manitoba - in Throne Speech

October 7, 2020

Winnipeg, MB - On October 7, 2020, the government of Manitoba opened the 42nd Legislative Assembly of Manitoba with the Speech from the Throne. The theme of the speech was "Protecting Manitobans Agenda".

Within the speech, Pallister mentions that 2020 is the 150^th anniversary of Manitoba becoming a province. Immediately afterward, Pallister recognizes that it is also the 100^th anniversary of the legislative building and announces the erection of a monument to Chief Peguis to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the Selkirk Treaty.

Though Pallister mentions Manitoba 150, never once is Louis Riel or the Métis Nation mentioned. The Métis Nation, and all Manitobans, should be appalled and ashamed as Pallister once again allows his personal vendetta with the Manitoba Métis and Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) President David Chartrand to affect his actions.

"In 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized the Métis Nation as Canada's negotiating partner in Confederation," explains President Chartrand. "It is inexcusable that the Métis can be mentioned a historic four times in Prime Minister Trudeau's Throne Speech, but just weeks later can be entirely omitted from Pallister's Throne Speech in the very province we created.

"Failing to mention us and the Founder of Manitoba, Riel, entirely in the Throne Speech after mentioning Manitoba 150 is unjustifiable. I can only imagine what all the children in those schools that voted to have Riel named as the Father of Manitoba must feel," continued President Chartrand. "This shows, without a doubt, his Trumpian style of politics. He is personalizing his position in office like Trump did by not publicly recognizing the achievements of long-time Republican Senator John McCain after his death.

"Despite his efforts to try and change the history of our province, the Métis Nation will remain proud and hundreds of thousands of Manitobans and Canadians will continue to honour Louis Riel and celebrate the contributions of the Métis Nation to the historic fabric of Canada," concluded President Chartrand.

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