In 2004, the Sons of Freedom Doukhobors, seeking a public apology for the psychological and emotional harm caused to them while confined to a residential school in New Denver, B.C., were left sorely disappointed. For four years, the children felt like they lived in a prison. Between 1953-1959, these children became the victims of a “long-standing cultural battle” between the Sons of Freedom and the rest of the province (10), all because they wanted to home school their children. During those years of confinement at New Denver, the children were punished for speaking Russian. Their traditional dress, religion and cultural ceremonies, were all banned.

In 1999, a public inquiry took place and an Ombudsman report entitled: Righting the Wrong: The Confinement of the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor Children, called for an “unconditional, clear, and public apology” (10). In response, in 2004, Mr. Geoff Plant, then Attorney General of B.C., stated that the Sons of Freedom had become an issue affecting the entire province, and that the public was accusing the government of not responding to the “problem” (10). Although Mr. Plant acknowledged and admitted harm was done to these children who were literally dragged from their homes, he did not feel his government should be held accountable for the actions of past governments. Rather than issue the sought after apology, he issued a statement of regret on behalf of the B.C. government (10).