We Shouldn’t Be Surprised That the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Recommendations Haven’t Been Implemented

Commissioner Justice Murray Sinclair (R), Commissioner Chief Wilton Littlechild, and Commissioner Marie Wilson pose for a photo with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after presenting him with a copy of the final Truth and Reconciliation report, in Ottawa on Dec. 15, 2015. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

Commentary

The Yellowhead Institute, an indigenous think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, has given up on monitoring the implementation of the 94 recommendations—Calls to Action—in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report. These recommendations are what the TRC thinks are needed to bring about reconciliation between indigenous people and other Canadians. After five years, the institute realized that continuing to check on the implementation of these recommendations is pointless.