The Mohawk Mothers were back in court on Tuesday (June 11). McGill and the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI) were presenting arguments in their appeal of Nov. 20’s Quebec Superior Court decision in favour of the Mohawk Mothers.
That decision ruled to reinstate an expert archaeological panel to oversee the search for human remains in the redevelopment of the Royal Victoria Hospital. McGill disbanded that panel the summer before, and maintains that they were only ever meant to advise on the initial search.
A McGill spokesperson told CKUT in a statement that “McGill does not contest that, in accordance with the [April 2023 Settlement] Agreement, the Panel should be consulted in the event of an unexpected discovery during excavation” – in effect, should human remains be unearthed.
CKUT spoke to Philippe Blouin, a doctoral student in anthropology who has been accompanying the Mohawk Mothers, about Tuesday’s appeals hearing.
