Boissonnault admits he's not Indigenous, apologizes for past heritage claims
The Liberal MP, who served as Canada’s minister of employment, initially referred to himself as “non-status adopted Cree” based on a conversation with an Indigenous researcher.
Former federal employment minister Randy Boissonnault publicly acknowledged Thursday that he is not Indigenous, admitting before the House of Commons Indigenous and northern affairs committee that previous assertions about his heritage were misleading.
Boissonnault, who served as Canada’s minister of employment, workforce development, initially referred to himself as “non-status adopted Cree” based on a conversation with an Indigenous researcher.
The Edmonton MP had previously described a great-grandmother as a “full-blooded Cree woman,” but on Thursday admitted he could not name any specific Cree nation to which his family might belong.
Boissonnault also explained his Indigenous name, Strong Eagle Man, which he claimed he is known by in the Cree community, was given to him by an elder at an LQBTQ activist organization.
The committee questioned Boissonnault about GHI, a PPE import company co-founded by Boissonnault that reportedly applied for contracts reserved for Indigenous businesses.
The former minister insisted he had no knowledge of those bids, attributing them to a business partner, Stephen Anderson, misusing his name, and said he was taking legal steps to address that issue but had not yet acted.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Alberta Bureau Chief for Rebel News and host of the weekly The Gunn Show with Sheila Gunn Reid. She's a mother of three, conservative activist, and the author of best-selling books including Stop Notley.
COMMENTS
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Bruce Atchison commented 2024-12-05 18:21:11 -0500How disgusting these people claiming indigenous ancestry are! It invalidates real native people and cheats them of resources which would help them out of poverty. Maybe Randy needs a new name, Two-faced Snake.