Prince Charles was in Ottawa yesterday for various protocol ceremonies and today begins the last day of his visit to Canada while an apology is still awaited by the indigenous communities.
After spending the day Tuesday in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall ended the busiest day of their tour in the capital yesterday.
Photo: AFP
The Duchess Camilla and Prince Charles looked dubious yesterday when a shopkeeper in Ottawa’s ByWard Market offered them a pastry beaver tail as part of the second day of their royal tour of Canada.
During several protocol ceremonies and a visit to merchants, the royal couple shook hundreds of hands before ending their day at Rideau Hall to celebrate the 70 years of reign of Queen Elizabeth II at a reception.
Only Governor General Mary Simon spoke during the evening.
“We are a country that learns about itself […]which recognizes the pain inflicted […] We want to be a country on the road to reconciliation [avec les peuples autochtones] “, she said.
brief encounter
At the same event, Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald spoke briefly with the Prince.
“I have emphasized truth and reconciliation with First Nations peoples and the need for Queen Elizabeth II to recognize and then apologize for the Crown’s continued failure to uphold her treaty agreements with its First Nations,” said Ms.me Archibald in a statement.
Thus, this morning begins the last day for Prince Charles to present the long-awaited apology by several Aboriginal leaders, in particular for the horrors suffered in the Aboriginal residential schools. He must go to the Northwest Territories (NWT), meet with members of the First Nations.
If they would have a “symbolic and political” significance, such an apology from the royal family would change “absolutely nothing” on the legal level, explains Patrick Taillon, professor of constitutional law at Laval University.
Talking about the environment
” [Le prince Charles] wants to talk about the environment and Aboriginals want to talk about religious boarding schools,” commented historian and expert on the British monarchy James Jackson.
“The three provinces that were most affected by the scandal of these religious schools were British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta, which he avoids this time. By going to the NWT, he can talk at his ease about the environment without talking too much about the scandal,” he continued in an interview with AFP.
– With AFP