Gary Merasty

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|date=January 2023}}

{{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.{{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}} On the morning after the election, Harrison alleged widespread misconduct.{{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}} However, an investigation conducted by Elections Canada determined that no wrongdoing had taken place.{{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}}

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.

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

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

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.[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)] 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."{{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}} Prentice again refused to offer an apology.[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 }}

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."[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)] After Merasty introduced the motion, Prentice announced the Conservatives would support it, allowing the apology to pass unanimously (257-0).{{cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/mps-vote-257-0-for-residential-school-apology-1.239596|title=MPs vote 257-0 for residential school apology|work=CTV News|date=May 1, 2007|accessdate=2014-05-19}}

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.{{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}}

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[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 }} (2004) and the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan{{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 }} (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).

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. In 2005, he received an honorary diploma in Entrepreneurship and Small Business from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.{{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}}

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

{{reflist}}

{{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