Prime minister says communities have 'right to be angry' after tense appearance at Kamloops memorial

Prime Minister JustinTrudeausaid it's been a difficult year for many since the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools and those expressing anger are justified in doing so.

Trudeautold reporters in Vancouver that Canada was responsible for "horrific things'' happening to Indigenous people and the injustices are not isolated in the past.

He said they continue today with socioeconomicinequality, mental health challenges and other legacies of residential schools that require ongoing action.

Trudeaumade the comments following a tense appearance Monday at a memorial ceremony at the former residential school in Kamloops, where he faced angry chants from some. The prime minister was in Vancouver Tuesday for a series of announcements,includingwelcoming the Invictus Games to Canada in 2025, which will include winter sports.

WATCH | Trudeausays federal government will be long-term partners for Indigenous reconciliation

Trudeau says federal government will be long-term partners for Indigenous reconciliation

2 years ago

Duration 1:58

Justin Trudeau reacts to the heckling he received at the Kamloops memorial.

The Tkemlps te SecwpemcFirst Nation announced last Maythat ground-penetrating radar had identified as many as 215 suspected graves in an apple orchard by the residential school.TrudeausaidCanada is still grappling with the discovery.

"There were a number of people who are still very, very hurt by this and who are angry, and, frankly, they have a right to be angry,'' he said.

Invictus Games 2025

The federal and provincial governments are each committing $15 million in support of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C.

As the first Invictus Games to feature adaptive winter sports, Trudeau says the event will be "uniquely Canadian." He also saidan additional $1 million in federal funds will be provided to the Soldier On program to support the participation of Canadian veterans in the games.

The games will feature alpine skiing, nordic skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling as well as swimming, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.

Long passport lines

Trudeau also answered questions Tuesday about long lineups at passport offices and plans for Canada Soccer to host a men's friendly match against Iran in Vancouver next month.

People throughout the country have expressed frustration over thelong lineups as they attempt to receive or renew passports ahead of international travel.

The prime ministersaid the federal government anticipated this rush in Decemberas travel restrictions lifted and worked to hire 500 new passport office workers to manage the influx.

"We're delivering about 43,000 new passports a week," he said. "This is cold comfort for people who are still struggling but it would be even worse had we not started the hiring process back at the beginning of the year."

He also said the lineups have a silver lining as it indicates a reopening of the economy and international borders after two years of restrictions.

Canada-Iran soccer game 'a bad idea'

Flight PS752 victims families outraged by Canadas soccer match with Iran

2 years ago

Duration 2:04

The families of the victims in the downing of Flight PS752 are demanding Canada Soccer cancel a planned game with Irans soccer team, saying they feel betrayed by the move.

Asked about an upcoming soccer game between the Canadian and Iran men's teams, Trudeau reiterated his beliefit was a "bad idea" to host the game in Vancouver but said ultimately it is not his decision about whether it will be allowed to go ahead.

Families who lost loved ones in the destruction of Flight PS752 are demanding that Canada Soccer abandon its plan for the game, saying they feel "betrayed" by the decision to have the Iranian team in B.C., a sentiment the prime minister said he shares.

"I expressed my concerns that I think this game was a bad idea," he said, adding that no funding from Sport Canada has been used to help host it.