For more than a century, Canada sought to eliminate Aboriginal culture and language through the establishment and use of the Indian Residential School system. These shameful practices have been termed “cultural genocide” by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the body whose purpose since its inception has been to gather the truth about residential schools.
Part of the truth gathering process lies in the collection and examination of documents regarding the residential school system and its legacy. The Commission faced numerous difficulties in its attempts to collect documents from the federal government and from various church entities. Falconers LLP has represented the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in various court proceedings on the issue of document production.
Julian Falconer, Julian Roy, and Meaghan Daniel of Falconers LLP have represented the TRC in respect of a series of document production cases before the Ontario Courts.
On June 2, 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final reports regarding residential schools. Read the reports here.
Related Documents
Independent Assessment Process (IAP):
TRC’s Request for Direction. August 14, 2013
Factum of the TRC. June 9, 2014
Court Documents:
Factum of the TRC. December 3, 2013
Factum of the Claimants. November 28, 2013
Request for Directions (RFD) of the TRC. October 18, 2013
Press Release. December 3, 2012
Amended Application. October 19, 2012
Request for Direction. October 15, 2012
Request for Direction. April 4, 2012
Notice of Application. March 2, 2012
In the News:
Nunavut residential school survivor hopes records are not destroyed Nunatsiaq Online, July 29, 2014
TRC Welcomes Court’s Clarification of Its Mandate TRC News Release, January 30, 2013
TRC seeks documents on residential schools NewsTalk 980, CJME, December 3, 2012
TRC takes Ottawa to court in battle over “control” of residential school history APTN, December 3, 2012
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Makes Reference to Court TRC News Release, December 3, 2012
Ontario Superior Court of Justice to Hear TRC Reference TRC Media Advisory, December 19, 2012