Gary Merasty

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Gary Merasty
Member of Parliament
for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River
In office
April 3, 2006 – August 31, 2007
Preceded byJeremy Harrison
Succeeded byRob Clarke
Personal details
Born (1964-09-22) September 22, 1964 (age 59)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Political partyLiberal Party of Canada
SpouseBrenda Merasty
ResidenceSaskatoon
ProfessionAboriginal leader, business consultant

Gary Merasty (born September 22, 1964, in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian politician and former Liberal Member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River in northern Saskatchewan. A former two-time Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council,[1] Merasty is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation within Treaty 6 territory. He is the first Status First Nations person to be elected in Saskatchewan.[2]

Early life[edit]

Merasty was born on September 22, 1964, in n Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was raised in Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan, by his mother Theresa and his aunts.[citation needed]

Entry into federal politics[edit]

Main article: Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River

In one of the closest races of the 2006 federal election, Merasty defeated Conservative incumbent Jeremy Harrison. On election night, Merasty's victory was reported as 10,225 to 10,119, a margin of 106. Jeremy Harrison challenged the result, but a judicial recount confirmed Merasty's victory by a reduced margin of 67 votes.[3] On the morning after the election, Harrison alleged widespread misconduct.[4] However, an investigation conducted by Elections Canada determined that no wrongdoing had taken place.[5]

Political career[edit]

As a Member of Parliament, Merasty served on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and the Legislative Committee on Bill C-2. He also sat on the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Liberal caucus[edit]

In the Liberal caucus, he served as Indian Affairs associate critic and was a Special Advisor for Aboriginal Outreach.[6]

Motion to implement the Kelowna Accord[edit]

Merasty introduced a motion to implement the Kelowna Accord on Sept. 29, 2006.[7] Although the motion was opposed by the federal Conservative government,[8] it passed by a vote of 160–113.[9]

Motion to apologize to survivors of the residential school system[edit]

Merasty also introduced a motion for the federal government to offer a formal apology to survivors of the Canadian residential school system, which received unanimous all-party support in the House of Commons.

Merasty first asked the federal government to offer a formal apology to survivors of the residential school system on Nov. 7, 2006.[10] Merasty raised the question again on March 27, 2007, after Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians Jim Prentice suggested an apology was unnecessary since the primary aim of the schools was "to provide education for aboriginal children."[11] Prentice again refused to offer an apology.[12]

In response, on May 1, 2007, Merasty introduced a motion into the House of Commons to calling on the House to "apologize to the survivors of the Indian Residential Schools for the trauma they suffered as a result of the policies intended to assimilate First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, causing the loss of aboriginal culture, heritage and language, while also leaving a sad legacy of emotional, physical and sexual abuse."[13] After Merasty introduced the motion, Prentice announced the Conservatives would support it, allowing the apology to pass unanimously (257-0).[14]

Retirement from politics[edit]

In July 2007, Merasty announced he was stepping down as MP for the riding on Aug. 31, to pursue a career in the private sector. A few months later in September, Merasty was appointed VP, Corporate Responsibility and Communications at Cameco Corporation. In 2013, Des Nedhe Development announced the appointment of Merasty as president and CEO.[15]

Awards and boards[edit]

1996—Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Pelican Narrows Community Service Award.

2006—Eagle Feather News Newsmaker of the Year.

2012—Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Merasty has received both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal[16] (2004) and the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan[17] (2005) for his service to the people of Saskatchewan. Board of Directors Northwest Company (TSX traded company); Board of Directors Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan (2010 to present); Board of Directors Canada West Foundation ( 2008 to present); Chair, Northern Career Quest (2008 to present); Board of Directors Enterprise Saskatchewan (2008–11); Chair, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Association (SIGA) (2000–05); Board of Directors, Dakota Dunes Golf and Country Club (2003–05); Board of Directors Saskatoon Airport Authority (2003–05); Board of Directors Western First Nations Hospitality (2002–05); Chair and director Northern Broadband Initiative (2002–05); Chair and director Westwind Aviation Ltd. (2001–05); Chair and director Northern Development Board (1999-2004); Chair and director Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group (SITAG) (1999-2005).

Education[edit]

Merasty holds Bachelor and master's degrees in Education from the University of Saskatchewan. Merasty was named in the 100 Alumni of Influence by the University of Saskatchewan[dead link] in 2007.[2] In 2005, he received an honorary diploma in Entrepreneurship and Small Business from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.[18]

Electoral record[edit]

2004 Canadian federal election: Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Jeremy Harrison 7,279 37.39 +1.62 $27,194
Liberal Al Ducharme 5,815 29.87 -11.94 $52,686
New Democratic Earl Cook 3,910 20.09 -1.72 $9,005
Independent (x)Rick Laliberte 1,923 9.88 -31.93 –
Green Marcella Gall 539 2.77 – –
Total valid votes 19,466 100.00  –
Total rejected ballots 76 0.39 -0.01
Turnout 19,542 47.41 -12.1
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing -6.8

Note: Conservative vote is compared to the total of the Canadian Alliance vote and Progressive Conservative vote in the 2000 election.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Prince Albert Grand Council
  2. ^ a b "Gary Merasty profile". 100 Alumni of Influence. University of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Liberals hold on to Saskatchewan riding after judicial recount". CBC News. 10 February 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  4. ^ "Officials confirm Merasty win". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. 27 January 2006. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Election probe finds no wrongdoing". Leader-Post. Regina. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  6. ^ Liberal.ca :: Media Releases Archived 2007-06-17 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 056 (Official Version)
  8. ^ "Merasty wants accord revived". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. 30 September 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  9. ^ Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 069 (Official Version)
  10. ^ Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 078 (Official Version)
  11. ^ "No residential school apology, Tories say". The Globe and Mail. 27 March 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  12. ^ canada.com |Article Archived 2012-10-25 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 144 (Official Version)
  14. ^ "MPs vote 257-0 for residential school apology". CTV News. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Sask. MP Gary Merasty stepping down 'with heavy heart'". CBC News. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  16. ^ Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal Archived 2007-06-08 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "Office of the Provincial Secretary - Government of Saskatchewan". Archived from the original on 26 April 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
  18. ^ "Grand chief awarded honorary diploma" (PDF). SIAST. 10 June 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.

External links[edit]

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