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Prime Minister Stephen Harper is already distancing himself from a special commission that has called for fundamental changes to Canada’s relationship with its indigenous people.

Harper’s position of studied indifference calls into question whether the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will have a brutally short shelf-life. That could be the case if the Conservatives are re-elected to govern on Oct. 19.

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On the other hand, with both the New Democrats and Liberals saying they support the TRC’s sweeping proposals, the commission’s blueprint could become federal government policy in coming years if Harper is turfed from office.

It wasn’t always this way.

On June 11, 2008, Harper rose in the House of Commons to personally deliver a seemingly emotional and sincere apology on behalf of Canada for its role in the establishment of residential schools.

He told MPs the “cornerstone” of a legal settlement between former residential school students and the federal government and churches was the newly created TRC.