Special Meeting of Council

Canada has a long and shameful history of mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples and communities, including separating children from their families and sending them to Residential Schools; and Whereas the goal of these schools was to “take the Indian out of the child,” as promoted by Canada’s first prime minister; using punishment and abuse, as documented in the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and as expressed in the testimony of those who survived Residential Schools; and Whereas this history is recent, with the last Residential School closing in 1996, and the lasting devastating impact continues to be felt by the families whose children were taken and the children who survived these schools; and Whereas the remains of 215 children were recently found in a mass unmarked grave at the Kamloops Indian Residential School located in Kamloops, British Columbia; and Whereas agencies, governments and municipalities across the country, including Burlington and all Halton municipalities, have lowered their flags in honour and memory of these children for one hour for each child taken -- a total of nine days; and Whereas Council acknowledges and supports the federal government’s decision to help fund the search for mass unmarked graves; and Whereas Indigenous Peoples continue to suffer under outdated and non-inclusive legislation and programs that carry forward this historically unacceptable treatment into the present day and hinders the healing process; and Whereas Bur

R eceive and file information items, having been considered by Council:

and pass By-law Number 43-2021, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its Special meeting held Monday, June 7, 2021, being read a first, second and third time.

this Council now to meet again at the call of the Mayor. 3:27 p.m.