Obligations to Indian residential schools should be honoured Dollars & M Sense oney can bring out the worst in people. This shouldn't be a surprise because it has been happening for centuries. The most recent example is the Catholic Church allegedly reneging on an obligation to pay $25 million toward healing and reconciliation programs for the survivors of Indian residential schools. Apparently, a federal lawyer in the last administration, allegedly made an error legally allowing the church to walk away from their "best efforts" to raise $25 million in donations. This obligation was one of the components of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class-action deal in Canadian legal history. The federal government has already paid the lion's share of the billion dollar settlement. The 50 Catholic organizations, known as the Catholic Entities, who ran the schools, were also required to pay reparations. The issue that has everyone pointing ngers is whether the current federal government should pick up the $25 million tab, or should the church honour its obligation. Intent a guiding principle In times past, the intent of an agreement was the guiding principle. Obligations were Guest Contributor 19 | Thursday, April 28, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Peter Watson campaign -- only $3.7 million was raised. My opinion is the Catholic Church has the ability to raise funds and their success rate at only collecting $3.7 million could only mean the effort required was not there. I believe the Catholic Church is a wealthy institution and has the nancial resources to write a cheque for $25 million. Canada's Indigenous Affairs Minister, Carolyn Bennett, has an opinion. She said the Catholic Church groups are morally obligated to meet their commitment to the survivors. see `Money on p.28 discussed and nalized with a handshake. What happened to the children in those residential schools was horri c. In a perfect world, this would not have occurred. Unfortunately, we cannot rewrite history. What is in our control is how we acknowledge and compensate those adversely affected by Canada's dark history. I believe what is right, is the Catholic Church honour its obligation. What is wrong, is for institutions to hide behind a legal technicality caused by a federal lawyer's mistake. Comments from various groups Last week, there were comments from various groups involved in this disagreement. To me, they rang a little hollow. Of the $25 million in donations the Catholic Entities was to raise over the seven-year Leaky Basement? Let NATIONAL WATERPROOFING solve your basement water problems to increase the value of your house, maximize your living space, eliminate health risks to your family and let you appreciate your whole house! $ · Patented System · Fully Licensed & Insured · New Weeping Tile Installation · 10% Seniors Discount · 10 Year Transferable Warranty · Seamless Rubber Linings · Crack Injection/Repairs · References Available · Inside-Outside Methods · All Work 100% Guaranteed · Foundation Walls Waterproofed · Foundation Walls Rebuilt Any Job Over $1600 20000 off Not to be combined with any other offer. 1 coupon per person 20 Years' Experience 2016 905-517-1637 www.nationalwaterproofing.ca FREE WRITTEN ESTIMATES Design Build Install FULLY CUSTOM kitchens, vanities, wall unit, mantle, walk in closet, laundry room, Bar, etc; · Granite, Quartz countertops · Full renovation service · Real estate service; NO HST OakVille Showroom Location 466 Speers Rd,Unit 6-7 Oakville, ON L6K 3W9 FOR OAKVILLE CUSTOMER WHO WILL SIGN THE CONTRACT FOR US IN MAY OR JUNE 2016 T: 905-338-8999 / 905-338-8199 info@beyondkitchens.ca F: 905-338-8099 *Trades, realtors, builder programme available,please ask store for details;