Gary Merasty

{{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Gary Merasty | image = | term_start = April 3, 2006 | term_end = August 31, 2007 | predecessor = Jeremy Harrison | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|09|22}} | birth_place = Winnipeg, Manitoba | successor = Rob Clarke | death_date = | death_place = | profession = Aboriginal leader, business consultant | party = Liberal Party of Canada | riding = Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River | footnotes = | term_start2 = | term_end2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | cabinet = | spouse = Brenda Merasty }}

'''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,<ref>[http://www.pagc.sk.ca/ Prince Albert Grand Council]</ref> 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.<ref name="100 Alumni of Influence">{{cite web|url=https://www.usask.ca/100/alumni/gary_merasty.php|title=Gary Merasty profile|work=100 Alumni of Influence|location=University of Saskatchewan|accessdate=2014-05-19|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191338/http://www.usask.ca/100/alumni/gary_merasty.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Early life== Merasty was born on September 22, 1964, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was raised in Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan, by his mother Theresa and his aunts.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==Entry into federal politics== {{Main|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/liberals-hold-on-to-saskatchewan-riding-after-judicial-recount-1.578851|title=Liberals hold on to Saskatchewan riding after judicial recount|work=CBC News|date=February 10, 2006|accessdate=2014-05-19}}</ref> On the morning after the election, Harrison alleged widespread misconduct.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=788722e9-c36f-4822-bc24-27efbda72efd|title=Officials confirm Merasty win|work=The StarPhoenix|location=Saskatoon|date=January 27, 2006|accessdate=2014-05-19|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704015157/http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=788722e9-c36f-4822-bc24-27efbda72efd|archivedate=July 4, 2014}}</ref> However, an investigation conducted by Elections Canada determined that no wrongdoing had taken place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=8efae281-8219-49c6-918d-1f6b268831f4|title=Election probe finds no wrongdoing|work=Leader-Post|location=Regina|date=October 26, 2006|accessdate=2014-05-19|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704015208/http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=8efae281-8219-49c6-918d-1f6b268831f4|archivedate=July 4, 2014}}</ref>

==Political career== 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=== In the Liberal caucus, he served as Indian Affairs associate critic and was a Special Advisor for Aboriginal Outreach.<ref>[http://www.liberal.ca/story_12644_e.aspx Liberal.ca :: Media Releases] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617141229/http://www.liberal.ca/story_12644_e.aspx |date=2007-06-17 }}</ref>

===Motion to implement the Kelowna Accord=== Merasty introduced a motion to implement the Kelowna Accord on Sept. 29, 2006.<ref>[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2367038#Int-1663820 Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 056 (Official Version)]</ref> Although the motion was opposed by the federal Conservative government,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.paulmartin.ca/20060930_merasty-wants-accord/|title=Merasty wants accord revived|work=The StarPhoenix|location=Saskatoon|date=September 30, 2006|accessdate=2014-05-19}}</ref> it passed by a vote of 160–113.<ref>[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2434817#SOBQ-1723254 Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 069 (Official Version)]</ref>

===Motion to apologize to survivors of the residential school system=== 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.<ref>[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2484588#SOB-1763418 Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 078 (Official Version)]</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/no-residential-school-apology-tories-say/article681921/|title=No residential school apology, Tories say|work=The Globe and Mail|date=March 27, 2007|accessdate=2014-05-19}}</ref> Prentice again refused to offer an apology.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=aa276cb0-a7fd-44c1-adc0-7ee4aff998c7&k=18666 canada.com |Article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025113920/http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=aa276cb0-a7fd-44c1-adc0-7ee4aff998c7&k=18666 |date=2012-10-25 }}</ref>

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."<ref>[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2890888#SOBQ-2042759 Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 144 (Official Version)]</ref> After Merasty introduced the motion, Prentice announced the Conservatives would support it, allowing the apology to pass unanimously (257-0).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/mps-vote-257-0-for-residential-school-apology-1.239596|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011200454/http://www.ctvnews.ca/mps-vote-257-0-for-residential-school-apology-1.239596|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 October 2012|title=MPs vote 257-0 for residential school apology|work=CTV News|date=May 1, 2007|accessdate=2014-05-19}}</ref>

===Retirement from politics=== 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-mp-gary-merasty-stepping-down-with-heavy-heart-1.638003|title=Sask. MP Gary Merasty stepping down 'with heavy heart'|work=CBC News|date=July 12, 2007|accessdate=2014-05-19}}</ref>

==Awards and boards== 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<ref>[http://www.gg.ca/honours/medals/hon04-qegj_e.asp Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608120244/http://www.gg.ca/honours/medals/hon04-qegj_e.asp |date=2007-06-08 }}</ref> (2004) and the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gr.gov.sk.ca/protocol/honours/centennial.htm |title=Office of the Provincial Secretary - Government of Saskatchewan |access-date=18 June 2007 |archive-date=26 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426083246/http://www.gr.gov.sk.ca/Protocol/Honours/centennial.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> (2005) for his service to the people of Saskatchewan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070915144233/http://www.liberal.ca/members_e.aspx?id=16293 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== 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|date=April 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} in 2007.<ref name="100 Alumni of Influence"/> In 2005, he received an honorary diploma in Entrepreneurship and Small Business from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gosiast.com/about-siast/administrative-divisions/marketing-and-communications/documents/woodlandhonorarydiploma2005release.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519062743/http://gosiast.com/about-siast/administrative-divisions/marketing-and-communications/documents/woodlandhonorarydiploma2005release.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 19, 2014|title=Grand chief awarded honorary diploma|work=SIAST|date=June 10, 2005|accessdate=2014-05-19}}</ref>

== Electoral record == {{2006 Canadian federal election/Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Canadian Parliament links|ID=15862}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Merasty, Gary}} Category:1964 births Category:First Nations politicians Category:Liberal Party of Canada MPs Category:Living people Category:Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Saskatchewan Category:Politicians from Winnipeg Category:University of Saskatchewan alumni Category:Indigenous Members of the House of Commons of Canada Category:21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada Category:Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation people