Trudeau says he regrets travelling to Tofino, B.C., on 1st National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized today fortravelling for a family vacation toTofino, B.C., last Thursdayon the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, saying the decisionwas a mistake.

"Travelling on the 30th was a mistakeand I regret it," he toldreporters duringhis first publicappearance since the trip.

He called the National Day forTruth and Reconciliation "an important moment for all of us Indigenous and non-Indigenous to reflectand to remember."

Trudeau has faced sharp criticism over his decisionto travel. Whilehis official itinerary said he would be in "private meetings" in Ottawa that day, it was later updated to reflect the facthe was in Tofino.

His office noted that the prime minister spoke at a sombre ceremony on Parliament Hill Wednesday night, where residential school survivors shared stories of intense trauma. Trudeau alsotweetedthat he spoke by phone withsurvivors "from across the country."

When asked why he went on the trip and whetherhe was advised not to Trudeau said "the 'how it happened' is far less important than that it happened, which I regret."

"We will continue to do even more on the path of reconciliation, whether it's continuing to eliminate long-term boil water advisories, whether it's making sure there's better investments in housing and support for kids going to new and better schools across the country in Indigenous communities," he said.

PM promises to visitTk'emlps te Secwpemcsoon

Trudeau repeated his apology to Tk'emlps te SecwpemcKukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir, expressing regretfornot visiting hercommunity to mark Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, despite multiple offers.

Tk'emlps te Secwpemc Nation is near the site of the formerresidential school in Kamloops, B.C., where about 200 possibleunmarked burial sites were detected by a radar survey this spring. The nation held an event Thursday that was attended by, among others, Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald and B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.

On Sunday, the First Nationsaid Trudeauapologized for not following up on invitations to visit the community.

"I'd like to thank Chief Casimir for taking my call this weekend so I could apologize directly for not being with her and her community on that day. I'm focused on making this right," Trudeausaid.

"I'm looking forward to visiting Tk'emlps te Secwepemc in person very soon."

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created through a law proposed and passed by the Liberal government back in June.

WATCH |Trudeau says 'it was a mistake to travel' on National Truth and Reconciliation Day

Trudeau expresses regret for B.C. trip, addresses issues in military

3 years ago

Duration 2:01

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed regret for vacationing in Tofino, B.C., during the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, while also trying to address mounting pressure to clean up the culture of the Canadian military.