THUNDER BAY – During a debate early last week, Saskatchewan MP Kevin Waugh fumbled his words when attempting to shed light on the lack of clean water due to the number of boil water advisories on First Nation reserves.
“The previous Conservative government left eight-and-a-half-years ago and there are still over 100 water advisories on First Nations,” he said.
“In my home province of Saskatchewan, I have seen reserves burn down water treatment plants because the Liberal government has done little or nothing.”
Waugh also doubled down on insinuations that First Nation communities are burning down their water treatment plants in protest against the government by stating that water treatment plants need educated workers to run them.
“These water treatment plants need education. They need people on reserve to operate the water treatment plant and that’s part of the problem,” he said.
In an interview with Newswatch, Hajdu stated that Waugh’s comments perpetuated a stereotype of First Nation’s people.
“I would like to see MP Waugh stand up and apologize for his stereotypical allegations that actually are so harmful and hurtful to First Nations people across this country," Hajdu said.
"He alleged that communities in the province of Saskatchewan were wanting to burn down their water plants through, in his words, anger at the federal government.”
“In fact, that was not only hurtful and a stereotype, but it also was completely false. He misled the House of Commons. He harmed relationships with the First Nations in that province and he perpetuated a stereotype that's very, very harmful.
"What I will tell you is I think all parties have a duty of care in the words that we choose to talk about the problems we're facing.”
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization also condemned Waugh’s comments in a formal release, which Hajdu posted to Twitter - calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and asking him if he agreed with Waugh’s comments.
In the release, Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said: “It’s extremely disappointing to see an elected official spewing misinformation about First Nations, which only serves to reinforce harmful stereotypes about First Nations in Canada.”
Daniels wants Waugh to formally apologize for his comments.
In a statement sent from the office of Conservative Member of Parliament, Kevin Waugh, his office attempted to clarify Waugh's comments by stating that “MP Waugh was pointing out that after eight years of Justin Trudeau and this Liberal government, what we have is a trail of broken promises and countless Indigenous communities that don’t have access to clean drinking water.
“MP Waugh also raised concerns about two incidents on reserves in Saskatchewan, publicly reported in the media, that saw water treatment plants burn down, disrupting clean water access for First Nations families. He is not familiar with the specific circumstances of these incidents and did not intend to make any implication about the cause.”
When asked if she would like to see Poilievre formally address Waugh’s comments in the house, Hajdu acknowledged that it isn’t up to her to ask Waugh to apologize. He should stand up and do the right thing.
“I think we've all had tough conversations with our bosses and I would hope that Pierre Poilievre is actually saying to MP Waugh that he needs to do the right thing. If he's trying to forge stronger relationships with First Nations people, then it starts with respect.
Hajdu said Regional Chief Glen Hare was in the audience along with other important people who appeared to be offended.
“I saw their jaws drop to the ground and the hurt in their eyes as I watched what was happening on the house floor.
"And so if Pierre Poilievre hopes to forge relationships with First Nations people, then he should hold his members of parliament to account, and MP Waugh should get up and apologize to the people who are so harmed by those stereotypes," Hajdu said.
