OTTAWA — Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, a high-profile former judge whose claims to Indigenous identity have been discredited, is no longer a member of the Order of Canada.
A notice in Saturday's Canada Gazette, the federal government's official newspaper, said her appointment was terminated on Sept. 26 following her own request and the Governor General's subsequent approval. She had been appointed in 2021.
The claims about Turpel-Lafond in a CBC investigation in October 2022 have already rippled through the academic and legal communities, but for everyday Canadians, the Order of Canada is significant, she said."Now Indigenous people are feeling empowered where they know that there are processes in place ... to ask for investigation, ask for accountability, ask for consequences," Robinson said in an interview on Friday.
The public broadcaster found Sainte-Marie's birth certificate, signed by an attending doctor and stating she was a white baby born in Stoneham, Mass., in 1941 to the white parents she has previously said adopted her. CBC said Sainte-Marie’s marriage certificate, a life insurance policy, the United States census and interviews with family members corroborate information on the birth certificate.
The former B.C. representative for children and youth previously told the public broadcaster that while she was growing up she didn't question the biological parentage of her father, who she has said was Cree.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond dropped from the Order of CanadaMary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is a Canadian lawyer, judge and legislative advocate for children's rights.
Read more »
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond removed from Order of Canada at own requestIn a notice posted to the Canada Gazette, the federal government said Turpel-Lafond's appointment to the Order of Canada was terminated 'at her individual request.'
Read more »
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond removed from Order of Canada after Indigenous ID questionsMary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, a high-profile former judge embroiled in a controversy surrounding her claims to Indigenous identity, has been removed from the Order of Canada at her own request.
Read more »
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond removed from Order of Canada at her requestThe high-profile lawyer and child-rights advocate has been embroiled in a controversy regarding her claims to Indigenous identity
Read more »
Order of Canada drops Turpel-Lafond at her own requestMove comes after report called into question Turpel-Lafond’s claims of Indigenous identity
Read more »