CHARLOTTETOWN — A Prince Edward Island cabinet minister has asked a law firm to conduct a brief inquiry into a village councillor's decision last fall to display a sign on his property denying the existence of unmarked graves at former residential schools.
"It's the first time anything like this has been presented to us," Communities Minister Rob Lantz said in an interview Wednesday. "It's unprecedented."
Lantz said Murray Harbour Coun. John Robertson had failed to comply with a ministerial directive to pay a $500 fine and issue an apology or resign — sanctions that were first imposed by the rural municipality last November after an investigation determined he had violated council's code of conduct.
Since then, Robertson has failed to show up for council meetings and he hasn't responded to the municipality's findings, the minister said.
"He's shown no willingness to comply," Lantz said. "He's left the country ... He's shown contempt for his colleagues on council, and contempt for the process."
Robertson could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The province decided another inquiry was needed based on advice from its lawyers. Lantz confirmed Wednesday that he has appointed lawyer Michael Drake to carry out an investigation that should be wrapped up within a week.
"It's very possible (Robertson) may be dismissed because he hasn't shown any willingness to be a part of this process," Lantz said. "The Municipality of Murray Harbour wants this to come to some sort of definitive conclusion. The community wants to move on."
In October, the councillor displayed a sign with the message, "Truth: mass grave hoax'' and "Reconciliation: Redeem Sir John A.'s integrity,'' ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, is considered an architect of the residential school system because he championed policies of assimilation and violence toward Indigenous people.
In May 2021, the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced that ground-penetrating radar had revealed the possible remains of as many as 215 children around the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia's interior. Since then, many other First Nations across Canada have searched for unmarked graves at school sites in their territories.
In November of last year, Murray Harbour council voted to suspend Robertson for six months and ordered him to pay a $500 fine and write a letter of apology. And on Dec. 8, 2023, council asked Lantz to intervene.
Last month, Lantz said Robertson had until Dec. 31 to comply with the sanctions. But when that deadline passed, Lantz announced a two-week extension on Jan. 2, saying Robertson had just returned to Canada and was unaware of the ultimatum.
"There are very strong opinions about what the councillor did and not everyone shares the same opinion," the minister said. "The incident itself was very unfortunate, particularly at that time during Truth and Reconciliation Week. It caused an emotional response."
Meanwhile, Robertson has received calls for his resignation from P.E.I. Sen. Brian Francis, Abegweit First Nation Chief Roderick Gould Jr., as well as the mayor of Murray Harbour and other councillors.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2024.
— By Michael MacDonald in Halifax
The Canadian Press
