7. Commissioners‘ Statement

7.1 A Message to Canadians

Dear Fellow Canadians,

We, the Commissioners of the National Citizens Inquiry (NCI), address you today with a profound sense of duty and urgency. As we conclude this stage of our investigation into the safety and well-being of children in Canada, we are compelled to share an undeniable truth: our children are not safe.

Throughout our hearings, we listened to testimony from parents, educators, medical experts, legal professionals, and courageous individuals who stepped forward to expose disturbing realities, realities that, had they not been spoken under oath, many would find too shocking to believe. The evidence presented was not speculative, nor ideological, it was factual, personal, and deeply distressing.

Children, the most vulnerable members of our society, are being failed by the very institutions entrusted to protect them.

We heard about:

• An education system that prioritizes political agendas over academic excellence and disregards parental rights.

• A legal system that often fails to protect children from exploitation, trafficking, and re-victimization.

• A public health system that has exposed children to questionable medical interventions without full transparency.

• A government and bureaucracy that repeatedly ignore the voices of parents, educators, and professionals raising the alarm.

And perhaps most damning of all, we witnessed the absolute silence of those in power.

Invitations were extended to government officials, agencies, and organizations responsible for child welfare in Canada. Not a single one participated. Not one stood up to defend their policies, provide answers, or even acknowledge the growing concerns of Canadian families.

A Critical Turning Point

Canadians, we find ourselves at a critical turning point.

The testimony we heard left no room for doubt: our children’s safety, mental health, and future are at risk. If we continue on this path, if we allow the government, institutions, and media to dismiss these concerns, we are failing the next generation.

It is easy to feel powerless in the face of such overwhelming issues, but let us be clear: change will not come from politicians, bureaucrats, or institutions, it must come from us, the people.

We urge all Canadians to wake up, stand up, and take action:

• Demand transparency from your school boards, healthcare providers, and elected officials.

• Hold institutions accountable when they put ideology above your child’s well-being.

• Reject silence and complicity, if you see something wrong, speak out.

• Build community with others who share your concerns. There is strength in numbers.

It is time to take back control over how our children are educated, how they are medically treated, and how they are protected.

A Nation’s Future is Decided by How It Treats Its Children

History will judge us not by the policies we debated, but by the actions we took to protect our young. We cannot allow this moment to pass without meaningful change.

We must not be silent. We must not be passive. We must not wait for someone else to act.

Canada’s future will be determined not by governments, but by its people. Let the findings of this inquiry be a call to action, for every parent, educator, medical professional, and citizen who believes that our children deserve better.

With vigilance, courage, and determination, we can restore a Canada where children are truly safe.

Final Message of the Commissioners

It has been a solemn responsibility and an incredible honour to serve as Commissioners of this Inquiry. We have witnessed firsthand the courage of those who came forward, parents who refuse to stay silent, professionals risking their careers to speak the truth, and survivors who bravely shared their experiences so that others might be spared.

To every witness who testified, your voices will not be ignored. Your words have shaped this report and must now shape the future of Canada.

To the citizens of this country, this report is not an ending, but a beginning. The power to change course is in your hands.

Finally, to those in government, education, healthcare, and law enforcement who refused to engage, your silence is deafening, and history will not forget it. The citizens of Canada deserve better.

We close this report with deep respect for those who stood up, deep concern for the children who remain at risk, and an unshakable commitment to ensuring that this fight for truth and accountability does not end here.

It must be different this time. We must be there, stand up and fight for our children.

Kenneth R. Drysdale                     Patrycia Robertson

Chairperson

Myriam Bohemier                          Stephan Larson