Gary Merasty
Encyclopedia
Gary Merasty, is a Canadian politician and former Liberal
Member of Parliament
for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River
in northern Saskatchewan. A former two-time Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council, Merasty is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
within Treaty 6
territory. He is the first Status First Nations
person to be elected in Saskatchewan.
In one of the closest races of the 2006 federal election
, Merasty defeated Conservative incumbent Jeremy Harrison
. On election night, Merasty's victory was reported as 10,225 to 10,119, a margin of 106. Jeremy Harrison challenged the result, but a judicial recount confirmed Merasty's victory by a reduced margin of 67 votes. On the morning after the election, Harrison alleged widespread misconduct. However, an investigation conducted by Elections Canada
determined that no wrongdoing had taken place.
As a Member of Parliament, Merasty served on the House of Commons
Standing Committee
on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and the Legislative Committee on Bill C-2. He also sat on the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
In the Liberal caucus, he served as Indian Affairs associate critic and was a Special Advisor for Aboriginal
Outreach.
Merasty introduced two successful motions into the House of Commons, the first calling for the implementation of the Kelowna Accord
and the second offering an apology to survivors of the Canadian residential school system
.
Merasty introduced the Kelowna Accord motion on September 29, 2006. Although the motion was opposed by the federal Conservative
government http://www.paulmartin.ca/20060930-1.html, it passed by a vote of 160-113.
Merasty first asked the federal government to offer a formal apology to survivors of the residential school system on November 7, 2006. Merasty raised the question again on March 27, 2007 after Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Jim Prentice
suggested that an apology was unnecessary since the primary aim of the schools was "to provide education for aboriginal children." Prentice again refused to offer an apology.
In response, on May 1, 2007, Merasty introduced a motion into the House of Commons to calling on the House to "apologize to the survivors of the Indian Residential Schools for the trauma they suffered as a result of the policies intended to assimilate First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, causing the loss of aboriginal culture, heritage and language, while also leaving a sad legacy of emotional, physical and sexual abuse." After Merasty introduced the motion, Prentice announced the Conservatives would support it, allowing the apology to pass unanimously (257-0).
Merasty was named in the 100 Alumni of Influence by the University of Saskatchewan
in 2007. In 2005, he received an honorary diploma in Entrepreneurship and Small Business from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
.
He has also received both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
and the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan
for his service to the people of Saskatchewan.http://www.liberal.ca/members_e.aspx?id=16293
As announced in July 2007, Merasty stepped down as MP for the riding on August 31, to pursue a career in the private sector.
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River
Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River
Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River is a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.-Demographics:...
in northern Saskatchewan. A former two-time Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council, Merasty is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is a Cree First Nations group in northern Saskatchewan consisting of eight communities: Amisk Lake, Deschambeault Lake, Kinoosao, Pelican Narrows, Prince Albert, Sandy Bay, Southend and Sturgeon Landing...
within Treaty 6
Treaty 6
Treaty 6 is an agreement between the Canadian monarch and the Plain and Wood Cree Indians and other tribes of Indians at Fort Carlton, Fort Pitt and Battle River. The area agreed upon by the Plain and Wood Cree represents most of the central area of the current provinces of Saskatchewan and...
territory. He is the first Status First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
person to be elected in Saskatchewan.
In one of the closest races of the 2006 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2006
The 2006 Canadian federal election was held on January 23, 2006, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 39th Parliament of Canada. The Conservative Party of Canada won the greatest number of seats: 40.3% of seats, or 124 out of 308, up from 99 seats in 2004, and 36.3% of votes:...
, Merasty defeated Conservative incumbent Jeremy Harrison
Jeremy Harrison
Jeremy Harrison, is a Canadian politician, currently representing the riding of Meadow Lake in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan...
. On election night, Merasty's victory was reported as 10,225 to 10,119, a margin of 106. Jeremy Harrison challenged the result, but a judicial recount confirmed Merasty's victory by a reduced margin of 67 votes. On the morning after the election, Harrison alleged widespread misconduct. However, an investigation conducted by Elections Canada
Elections Canada
Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency reporting directly to the Parliament of Canada. Its ongoing responsibility is to ensure that Canadians can exercise their choices in federal elections and referenda through an open and impartial process...
determined that no wrongdoing had taken place.
As a Member of Parliament, Merasty served on the House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
Standing Committee
Standing Committee
In the United States Congress, standing committees are permanent legislative panels established by the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate rules. . Because they have legislative jurisdiction, standing committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for...
on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and the Legislative Committee on Bill C-2. He also sat on the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
In the Liberal caucus, he served as Indian Affairs associate critic and was a Special Advisor for Aboriginal
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
Outreach.
Merasty introduced two successful motions into the House of Commons, the first calling for the implementation of the Kelowna Accord
Kelowna Accord
The Kelowna Accord is a series of agreements between the Government of Canada, First Ministers of the Provinces, Territorial Leaders, and the leaders of five national aboriginal organizations in Canada. The Accord sought to improve the education, employment, and living conditions for Aboriginal...
and the second offering an apology to survivors of the Canadian residential school system
Canadian residential school system
-History:Founded in the 19th century, the Canadian Indian residential school system was intended to assimilate the children of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada into European-Canadian society...
.
Merasty introduced the Kelowna Accord motion on September 29, 2006. Although the motion was opposed by the federal Conservative
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
government http://www.paulmartin.ca/20060930-1.html, it passed by a vote of 160-113.
Merasty first asked the federal government to offer a formal apology to survivors of the residential school system on November 7, 2006. Merasty raised the question again on March 27, 2007 after Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
The position of Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians was created in 1985 as a portfolio in the Canadian Cabinet. As the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is officially responsible only for Status Indians and largely with those living on Indian reserves, the new...
Jim Prentice
Jim Prentice
James "Jim" Prentice, PC, QC is a Canadian lawyer, and politician. In the 2004 federal election he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a candidate of the Conservative Party of Canada...
suggested that an apology was unnecessary since the primary aim of the schools was "to provide education for aboriginal children." Prentice again refused to offer an apology.
In response, on May 1, 2007, Merasty introduced a motion into the House of Commons to calling on the House to "apologize to the survivors of the Indian Residential Schools for the trauma they suffered as a result of the policies intended to assimilate First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, causing the loss of aboriginal culture, heritage and language, while also leaving a sad legacy of emotional, physical and sexual abuse." After Merasty introduced the motion, Prentice announced the Conservatives would support it, allowing the apology to pass unanimously (257-0).
Merasty was named in the 100 Alumni of Influence by the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
in 2007. In 2005, he received an honorary diploma in Entrepreneurship and Small Business from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology is a diploma-granting college that has four campuses across Saskatchewan. More than 12,000 students are enrolled in its programs and has approximately 29,000 additional individual registrations....
.
He has also received both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II...
and the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan
Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan
The Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan also called the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal is a commemorative medal struck to celebrate the first 100 years since Saskatchewan's entrance into Canadian Confederation....
for his service to the people of Saskatchewan.http://www.liberal.ca/members_e.aspx?id=16293
As announced in July 2007, Merasty stepped down as MP for the riding on August 31, to pursue a career in the private sector.