Indian Residential School apologies

In a speech delivered during the signing of the Public Safety Protocol between the Assembly of First Nations and the RCMP, former RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli apologized to Indigenous Peoples for the RCMP's involvement in the Indian Residential School system, May 2004.

"...To those of you who suffered tragedies at Residential Schools, we are very sorry for your experience… Canadians can never forget what happened and they never should. The RCMP is optimistic that we can all work together to learn from this Residential School system experience and ensure that it never happens again… We - I, as Commissioner of the RCMP - am truly sorry for what role we played in the Residential School system and the abuse that took place in that system."

Giuliano Zaccardelli
RCMP Commissioner


In a speech delivered during a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission Event in Alberta, former RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson apologized to Indigenous Peoples affected by the Indian Residential School System for the RCMP's involvement, March 2014.

"... I say to you all here today, as Commissioner of the RCMP, on behalf of the RCMP and on behalf of all men and women who comprise the RCMP or have ever been a part of it, I am deeply sorry for what has happened to you and the part my organization played in it"

Bob Paulson
RCMP Commissioner

For Commissioner Paulson's complete speech, visit the RCMP YouTube channel.

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