How Canada’s Misleading Origin Story Corrupts Canadian Identity and the rule of law

With Professor Kathleen Mahoney, KC, FRSC and Phil Fontaine

Moderator – Professor Aaron Mills

Closing Remarks Me. Tamara Thermitus, Ad.E.

The British North America Act, held up as Canada’s most important historical achievement, is understood as the constitutional bedrock of Canadian identity as well as the foundation for the free and democratic nation Canadians believe ourselves to be.

But here’s the problem: our origin story is wrong. In 1996, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples wrote, “A country cannot be built on a living lie.” It is imperative that the error of omission in Canada’s origin story be formally corrected by legislation if the rule of law is to have meaning at the very root of our Canadian democracy.

Speaker bios:

Professor Kathleen E. Mahoney is Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Calgary and King’s Counsel, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. She was the Chief Negotiator for Canada’s Indigenous peoples claim for the Indian Residential School policy and the abuse inflicted on students. She was the primary architect of the TRC and led the negotiations for the historic apology. 

Phil Fontaine is the owner of Ishkonigan Inc., a company specializing in Indigenous engagement, consultation and negotiation. Mr. Fontaine is also the Special Advisor of the Royal Bank of Canada. Mr. Fontaine served as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations for an unprecedented three terms.