Editorial: Stop Wallowing in Sins of the Past
Toronto Sun, November 8, 2026
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When Charles was in Canada, First Nations made similar demands. While he has not issued a formal apology for either the slave trade or residential schools, in 2022, Charles did acknowledge this country’s dark history of residential schools and the pain they caused.
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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated that he’s open to making a formal apology, but not to reparations. He offered 40 million pounds (about $75.4 million CDN) for projects in the Caribbean.
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Britain led the world in outlawing the slave trade. Its Royal Navy enforced that ban off the African coast. Charles’ great-great-great grandfather, Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, dedicated his life as Prince Consort to the abolitionist cause.
Canada was one of the first countries to start the movement towards emancipation, with the 1793 Act Against Slavery. That’s why this country was the northern end of the Underground Railroad — the path to freedom for southern slaves. Queen Victoria refused all U.S. requests to return slaves who fled via that route.
At some point, you must stop wallowing in the sins of the past and move on.
