Mayor of B.C. town faces censure for controversial book on Indigenous residential schools

Quesnel Mayor Censured for Distributing Book Questioning Indigenous Residential Schools

The mayor of Quesnel, British Columbia, has been censured by city council for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada. Mayor Ron Paull was stripped of his travel and lobbying budgets and removed from city committees as a result of the controversy.

The issue was brought to the council’s attention by the Lhtako Dene First Nation after it was discovered that Paull’s wife had circulated copies of the book “Grave Error: How the Media Misled Us (and the Truth About Residential Schools)” in the community, including to the local school board. The book questions the findings of 215 potential unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School.

Despite denying claims that he was attempting to distribute the book, Paull admitted to showing it to colleagues after a meeting. The Lhtako Dene announced they were stepping away from further cooperation with the mayor and council, prohibiting Paull from entering their territory without an invitation.

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs expressed solidarity with the Lhtako Dene, stating that the book questions the existence of residential schools and their documented harms against Indigenous peoples.

Quesnel council unanimously voted to sanction the mayor, demanding a sincere apology and revisiting the sanctions in 90 days. The Cariboo Regional District expressed commitment to reconciliation and strengthening relationships with Indigenous governments in the region.

The mayor’s office declined interview requests and did not comment on the censure. The city will choose a new representative for the regional board in light of the sanctions.