Romeo Saganash: "In light of the formidable challenges ahead, we need Breen"

I am very fortunate that experienced former MPs are among my trusted advisors. Leaders like Romeo Saganash and Libby Davies. They have rallied to support me because they know that I have what it takes to carry out the difficult task ahead: to finally bring new, engaged leadership to Vancouver Centre!

Dr. Fry has a long history of poorly serving our riding. She missed 490 of the 1389 votes held between 2015-2019! She has told survivors of child sexual assault on military bases that she won’t address the issue because there are no military bases in this riding! She is well known for refusing to help her constituents when they need it most.

Most recently and following the 215 children announcement, Dr. Fry abstained from an NDP motion to bring justice to Indigenous communities. A motion unanimously supported by the MPs who refused to remain silent. A motion that was even supported by 89 of her Liberal colleagues!

Dr. Fry refused to vote for Indigenous children who have been denied government benefits equal to those received by all other children in Canada. An ongoing travesty perpetuated for decades by the Government of Canada.

Dr. Fry refused to vote for this simple act of justice and compassion. She and 64 other shameful Liberal MPs have failed to provide any valid reason for their abstentions. Their refusal constitutes wilful ignorance of the Government of Canada's continued double standard on the legal rights of Indigenous people versus all other Canadians. Canada's Constitution, our highest law, singles out Indigenous people to restrict their legal rights.

The restriction of legal rights on the basis of race meets the international criminal definition of apartheid. A definition that the Government of Canada has adopted two decades ago, yet continues to ignore. Any moral person should be incensed on learning that this is still happening in our country. Dr. Fry has shown the opposite intention by her abstention, and by her decades of supporting other oppressive government acts on our behalf as our MP.

Dr. Fry has demonstrated that she is an MP who will continue to enable apartheid and genocide in Canada.

When Romeo speaks of the formidable challenges ahead, this includes ending apartheid and genocide in Canada. The challenge is formidable because these crimes are rooted in our highest law. Acceptance of them has been fostered in the attitudes of millions of Canadians over many generations. Canadians have been subversively educated to believe that Indigenous people are inferior. But Canadians are waking up to the truth and joining us in our calls for justice. It is up to New Democrats as engaged citizens and moral people to lead the charge. We must fight to undo the damage done to the very fabric of our society!

Learn more about Canada’s Constitutional apartheid by reading my interview with the Georgia Straight.

Romeo has raised the challenge to each of you. Are you ready accept that the Government of Canada has intentionally used the law to single out Indigenous people to harm us? And by doing so, our government has failed and continues to fail all Canadians?

Thank you, Romeo, for advocating for me to be the NDP candidate for Vancouver Centre. As Indigenous people, Romeo and I pass the question to you: will you accept the challenge and vote for me on September 20, 2021?

Unlike some seeking re-election, I will pursue every avenue for justice and reconciliation between Indigenous people and Canadians.