The government recognizes that the absence of an apology has been an impediment to healing and reconciliation. Therefore on behalf of the government of Canada and all Canadians, I stand before you in this chamber so vital, so central to our existence as a country. To apologize to aboriginal peoples. For the role the government of Canada played in Indian, in the Indian residential schools system. To the approximately 80,000 living former students and all family members and communites. The government of Canada now recognizes that it was wrong. To forcibly remove children from their homes, and we apologize for having done this. We now recognize that it was wrong to separate children, from rich and vibrant cultures and traditions, that it created a void in many lives and communities, and we apologize for having done this. We now recognize that in separating children from their families, we undermined the ability of many to adequately parent their own children, and sow the seeds for generations to follow. And we apologize, for having done this. We now recognize that far too often, these institutions gave rise to abuse or neglect and were inadequately controlled and we apologize for failing to protect you. Not only did you suffer these abuses as children, but as you became par', parents you were powerless to protect your own children from suffering the same experience, and for this, we are sorry.