MPs, Indigenous leader call for Boissonnault to resign over shifting claims about family

Calls for Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault to resign have been growing among Indigenous leaders due to conflicting claims about his family’s background. Boissonnault has been facing scrutiny over allegations that his former company, Global Health Imports (GHI), falsely claimed to be “Indigenous-owned” when bidding for federal contracts in 2020. Despite denying any involvement in the business since his re-election in 2021, questions about his family’s Indigenous heritage have raised concerns.

Joanna Bernard, Assembly of First Nations regional chief for New Brunswick, stated that Boissonnault should step down in light of the conflicting statements about his family’s background. She emphasized that ignorance should not be an excuse and that accountability and transparency are essential in ensuring the integrity of Indigenous business procurement processes. Bernard’s remarks reflect the growing pressure on Boissonnault to address the discrepancies surrounding his family’s heritage.

Conservative MPs have joined Indigenous leaders in calling for Boissonnault’s resignation, citing concerns about his misrepresentation of his Indigenous background and business dealings. Boissonnault has referred to his great-grandmother as Cree, but census records suggest a different ancestry. The controversy has intensified, with accusations of “pretendianism” harming Indigenous business owners and eroding trust in government officials.

NDP MP Blake Desjarlais, who is of Cree and Métis descent, echoed calls for Boissonnault to resign, highlighting the minister’s decision-making authority over Indigenous communities while his own connections are unclear. Desjarlais emphasized the need for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take action if Boissonnault does not step down voluntarily.

Former federal justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, a member of the We Wai Kai Nation in B.C., condemned the claims of Boissonnault’s Indigeneity as “shameful and extremely destructive.” Wilson-Raybould called on Trudeau to address the issue promptly, emphasizing the importance of upholding the values of true reconciliation.

Despite mounting pressure, Boissonnault has maintained his position, with Trudeau expressing support for his leadership on jobs and employment issues. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet has also defended Boissonnault, suggesting that resignation may not be necessary.

In a heated exchange in the House of Commons, Conservative MPs Michelle Rempel Garner, Michael Barrett, and Rick Perkins were asked to withdraw from the proceedings for violating rules of order and decorum. The contentious debate underscores the deep divisions and controversies surrounding Boissonnault’s tenure as Minister of Employment.

As the calls for Boissonnault’s resignation continue to intensify, the government faces mounting pressure to address the conflicting claims about his family’s background and ensure accountability in Indigenous business procurement processes. The controversy surrounding Boissonnault underscores the importance of transparency and integrity in government leadership.