**NDP Bill Aims to Criminalize Denial of Residential Schools** A new private members' bill introduced by NDP MP Leah Gazan seeks to criminalize speech that denies the existence of the Indian residential school system in Canada. Bill C-254, which completed its first reading in the House of Commons last week, proposes penalties of up to two years in prison for Canadians who are found to be “condoning, denying, downplaying or justifying” the residential school system. The bill also allows judges to order the forfeiture of any items related to the speech offense. Gazan stated, "Since the discovery of unmarked graves, we have seen an increase in denialism about what occurred in the residential schools. This is horrific." This is not the first time Gazan has introduced such legislation; she previously proposed a similar bill during the 44th Parliament. Bill C-254 follows another controversial private member's bill from the NDP, introduced by Charlie Angus, which aimed to penalize Canadians for promoting fossil fuels. The Fossil Fuel Advertising Act, which was not passed before Parliament dissolved in March, would have imposed severe fines and potential jail time for promoting fossil fuel-related content. The introduction of Bill C-254 comes amid a campaign by the new political party OneBC, which disputes the narrative surrounding the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites. OneBC leader Dallas Brodie criticized the bill, stating, "No graves in Kamloops. No genocide. No wrongs left to reconcile. No land, cash, or power grabs. No looking back." The discussion around unmarked graves began in May 2021 when the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced findings from a ground-penetrating radar survey that suggested the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School site. This announcement led to significant media coverage and prompted then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to lower flags on federal buildings for five months. However, four years later, none of the 215 remains have been confirmed as graves, and the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc have since referred to them as “anomalies.” A recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute indicated that a majority of Canadians still view the Indian residential schools as a form of cultural genocide, with 68% agreeing with this perspective. However, skepticism remains regarding the 215 anomalies, with 56% of Indigenous respondents and 63% of all respondents stating that Canada should only accept the claims if further verification is provided through excavation. Gazan has previously referred to the 215 anomalies as a “mass grave,” a statement that extended beyond the initial claims made by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. She later adjusted her language to “unmarked graves” in a statement to the House of Commons on June 1, 2021, but has not mentioned the alleged burials in subsequent parliamentary discussions. While private members' bills rarely become law, Bill C-254 includes provisions that allow for the dismissal of charges related to denialism if the defense is based on a belief or opinion regarding the residential schools.