But the label of “denialism,” an insidious term intended to draw moral comparisons with Holocaust denial, is not only directed at those who misrepresent the history of residential schools. It is targeted at anyone who challenges particular narratives. Anything that could be perceived as downplaying what happened in residential schools, even if only to affirm what the facts say, is considered offside.

Are their not moral comparisons to be made? It’s an uncomfortable history for people to grapple with, but attempting to eradicate Indigenous culture is a fact of Canadian history.

The damage done to indigenous people by the residential schools was enormous and the effects will take generations, and lots of effort and resources to repair. There are no quick fixes. This law allows the liberals to appear to be doing something without them actually having to do something. Burnishing their progressive credentials, whether it be on environmental policy, voting reform or indigenous rights, and then not following through with concrete action is par for the course.