30 September 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release - Vancouver Liberals Honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Kareem Allam, Vancouver Liberals Honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, acknowledging the injustices of residential schools and missing and murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People
VANCOUVER, BC - Mayoral Candidate Kareem Allam and the Vancouver Liberals today honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in respect of British Columbia and Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to reflect on the injustices of Canada’s residential school system and honour the survivors, their families, and anyone who suffered from consequent injustices. The Vancouver Liberals also recognize the systemic injustices suffered by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit People, and their families and communities.
“Living and working on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations is meaningful to us,” stated Allam. I’ve worked with all three local nations in the past, and have decades-long relationships that help me understand Indigenous ambitions at a deep level. These relationships are crucial when it comes to supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, bringing Indigenous culture to the forefront, and truly embodying reconciliation through knowledge sharing and tackling challenges together.”
The Vancouver Liberals recognize that it is incumbent on any incoming City administration to have a distinct emphasis and commitment to supporting Indigenous Peoples as a part of restorative justice. In Vancouver, Indigenous nations and people face unique difficulties, many of which stem from a complicated and challenging relationship with Canada’s past. They are overrepresented in Vancouver’s justice system, homeless populations, and the child welfare system.
The Vancouver Liberals have proposed numerous initiatives to create systemic change and enhance restorative justice for Indigenous Peoples to improve their relationships with the City of Vancouver. These initiatives include:
-
Hiring a full time Indigenous Relations Director in the mayor’s office
-
Adhering to the City of Vancouver UNDRIP task force protocols
-
Maintaining regular joint council meetings between the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and additional meetings between respective mayors and staff
-
Re-implementing the Equity and Diversity Office defunded by Ken Sim
-
Ensuring that the Urban Indigenous Engagement Framework is operational and adhered to
-
Prioritizing housing, safety, child care, and service access in addressing urban Indigenous issues
-
Funding restorative justice initiatives, including improved VPD training, to ensure urban Indigenous cases are handled appropriately and respectfully
-
Including the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council in decisions relating to Indigenous people and issues, and index its funding to inflation
-
Supporting the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Development Corporation’s Jericho Lands and Heather Lands developments as well as future projects
-
Consulting the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tslei-Waututh Nations on the UBC SkyTrain extension and the amalgamation of the University Endowment Lands with Vancouver
“The City of Vancouver needs dedicated roles, policies, procedures, and partners to be able to improve its relationships with Indigenous groups. Prior administrations have dropped the ball or let important issues slip through the cracks. The Vancouver Liberals will not follow in their footsteps. We will engage, we will listen, and we will act. We hope that our commitment is evident through the range of policies and initiatives we will undertake,” explained Allam.
For those interested in learning more or supporting those impacted by residential schools or MMIWG2S+ issues, please visit the Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society website.
Media Contact:
Vancouver Liberals Communications