One of the most recognizable acts of activism observed by non-Indigenous Canadians all over the country today is land acknowledgments. But while they are a way to reflect on Canada’s colonialist past and history of broken treaties, they fail to address its colonialist present and our collective lack of action when it comes to indigenous issues.
Liberal incumbent Mona Fortier was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier on Monday night in a decisive win, garnering support from about 50 per cent of the riding’s voters. The NDP’s Stephanie Mercier and the Conservative’s Joel Bernard came second and third respectively.
The incumbent MP and Liberal candidate for Ottawa-Vanier says she will prioritize affordable housing and fighting the climate crisis if elected. For students, Fortier says she’ll work to secure federal funding to help the province boost mental health support on campus.
Ottawa-Vanier Liberal member of parliament, Mauril Bélanger, passed away on Aug. 16 at the age of 61, after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Bélanger attended the University of Ottawa in the 1970s, serving as the 1977-79 president of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO).
