Overview of the Promise

During his 2025 election campaign as Liberal Leader, Mark Carney promised to move forward on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) 94 Calls to Action and to support Indigenous communities in uncovering unmarked and undocumented graves and burial sites at former residential schools. This commitment was made amid ongoing national discussions about reconciliation, with Carney emphasizing the need to build trust with Indigenous peoples following perceived shortcomings under the previous administration.

Actions Taken on TRC Calls to Action

Since assuming the role of Prime Minister in early 2025, Carney has engaged in several high-level meetings and public statements aimed at advancing reconciliation. In April 2025, he addressed the Assembly of First Nations, pledging to maintain momentum on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which aligns with several TRC Calls to Action related to Indigenous rights and self-determination. In August 2025, Carney met with Métis leaders, assuring them that Indigenous rights would be central to legislation on major projects, potentially addressing Calls to Action concerning economic development and consultation.

The federal government, under Carney, updated its progress report on the TRC Calls to Action in August 2025, highlighting ongoing efforts in areas such as education, health, and justice. However, independent analyses from 2025 indicate that overall progress on the 94 Calls to Action remains slow, with some reports suggesting Canada is moving backwards in certain areas, such as resource extraction without proper First Nations consent. No major new legislation specifically targeting the TRC Calls to Action has been proposed or passed under Carney's government as of August 30, 2025, though existing frameworks like the 2021 UNDRIP Act continue to guide actions.

Support for Uncovering Unmarked Graves

On the second part of the promise—supporting Indigenous communities to uncover unmarked graves—there have been mixed developments. In February 2025, shortly after Carney became interim leader, the government ended funding for the National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools Missing Children and Unmarked Burials, which had been supporting communities in identifying and commemorating burial sites. This decision drew criticism from Indigenous advocates and survivors, who urged continued federal support during the election campaign.

Since then, Carney's administration has not announced new funding or programs specifically for grave investigations, though public commitments to reconciliation have been reiterated. For instance, in May 2025, analyses noted that Indigenous communities are watching to see if Carney will follow through on promises unfulfilled by the previous government. As of late August 2025, no new legislation has been introduced to mandate or fund these efforts, leaving many searches reliant on community-led initiatives and limited provincial support.

Challenges and Potential Risks

To fulfill this promise, Carney's government would need to introduce and pass targeted legislation, such as renewed funding bills for grave investigations or comprehensive acts addressing multiple TRC Calls to Action, alongside measurable progress reports showing completion of key items. Continued engagement with Indigenous leaders and allocation of resources would be essential. However, if funding cuts persist without replacement, or if progress stalls amid other priorities like economic projects, the promise is at risk of being broken. Critics have pointed to the glacial pace of reconciliation efforts, exacerbated by controversies like Carney distancing himself from his late father's historical views on residential schools.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.