“No Evidence” of Residential School Graves, Says Halton Hills New Blue Candidate Stephen Kitras

Using ground penetrating radar, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada has found over 1,800 potential burials at former residential school sites. The wheeled device detects disturbances in the soil, where digging has occurred, and identifies coffins below the surface of the ground. Coffins buried in unmarked groups are easier to detect, while individual graves and burials without coffins are more difficult. The Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada estimates that 1 in every 50 students that attended a residential school did not survive, so where are the missing children? These investigations working with survivors are helping uncover them. Children were often made to dig the graves of those who passed away, so the Committee is working closely with survivors to bring the children home. 9 sites have been examined so far, with 38 more scheduled for examination. One of them, Mohawk Institute, is located in Brantford, Ontario, it only closed in 1970. According to official records, 54 students passed away while at the school, but that number is likely higher. No evidence has ever been discovered of the remains of any of the 54 students, adding to the total of missing Indigenous Children. A search in 2021 produced no results; some survivors recall furnaces being used for remains.

The Truth and Reconciliation Committee was established in 2008, and investigated the long-lasting impacts of Residential schools, and the damage done to communities. It dissolved and released a comprehensive final report in 2015, including 94 Calls to Action, laying framework for justice and reparations going forward. The goal of the calls to action is to urge all levels of governments to work together in reducing the harm done by residential schools and move forward along the road to reconciliation. This comes after years of frustration from First Nations communities about their voices not being heard, survivors told tales of the horrors of residential schools for years to no avail.

Stephen Kitras, the New Blue Party Candidate for Wellington-Halton Hills says that the Truth and Reconciliation Committee “did nothing.” In spite of educating countless Canadians on atrocities committed and concealed within our borders, Kitras says that “Trudeau budgeted all this money… Especially for finding unmarked graves…And they did nothing!” This is in spite of over 1,800 potential burials found, in just 9 of 38 sites examined. “There’s no evidence for that,” Kitras says. “Look it up, give me the evidence, there’s no evidence for (unmarked graves).” Kitras stands brazenly in the face of facts, as both the CBC and the Truth and Reconciliation Committee have produced comprehensive reports detailing the findings. The New Blue Party attributes this to “destructive woke activism” being taught to school children, something they pledge to abolish. Kitras and his party go against the progress Canada has made towards education and reconciliation towards First Nations communities in Canada.