Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called residential‑school denialism “detestable” but said it should be tackled through education, not criminal law.

Federal MP Leah Gazan had tried to make denialism illegal. She introduced Bill C‑254 in October 2024 to amend the Criminal Code, but the bill died when the spring 2025 election was called.

Kinew told CBC’s Manitoba Up to Speed that criminalising denialism is not the answer; he stressed that continued education is the better solution.

On Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Kinew announced that Manitoba and the City of Brandon will purchase the former Brandon Residential School campground, which includes a historic cemetery, to preserve the memory of the site.

A survivor of the Fisher River and Birtle residential schools, Kinew said more education is needed in K‑12 classrooms and in workplaces, churches and other community settings.

He believes that teaching the full history prevents the truth from fading, supports reconciliation and stops hateful myths from re‑emerging.