In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its 94 Calls to Action, a foundational blueprint for Canada to redress the horrific legacy of the residential school system. A decade later, a single, confusing question remains: How many are actually complete?

The answer is the key to understanding the entire reconciliation process. While the federal government has claimed that “over 85% of the Calls… are now completed or well underway,” the numbers from Indigenous-led trackers tell a radically different story.

This article explains what the 94 Calls to Action are, what they demand, and why this “Accountability Gap” is the most critical issue in Canada’s journey toward reconciliation.

The “Accountability Gap”: A Checklist vs. Real Change

The confusion over progress isn’t a simple math error; it’s a fundamental disagreement over the very definition of “complete.”

  • The Government’s “Checklist” Method: The government’s 85% claim is based on “bureaucratic action.” If a bill has been tabled, a fund announced, or a meeting held, it’s counted as “in progress” or “underway.”
  • The Indigenous-Led “Material Change” Method: Independent, Indigenous-led trackers use a much stricter definition. A call is only “complete” if its intended outcome has been fully achieved and is making a “material change” for Indigenous communities.

This gap in methodology is why the numbers are so different. As of 2024-2025, here’s what the independent trackers report:

This deep chasm—between a government claiming 85% progress and an Indigenous-led consensus of ~14% completion—is the central story of reconciliation in Canada.

What Are the 94 Calls to Action?

The 94 Calls to Action are the actionable remedies prescribed by the TRC to address the “cultural genocide” of the residential school system. They are not “recommendations” but a blueprint for change, based on over 6,500 testimonies from Survivors. They are divided into two parts.

Part 1: The Legacy (Calls 1-42)

These calls focus on redressing the direct, ongoing harms of the residential school system. This is about fixing the broken systems that continue to marginalize Indigenous peoples today.

Here are key examples and the “Accountability Gap” in action:

  • Child Welfare (Calls 1-5):
    • The Call: To reduce the number of Indigenous children in care and affirm the right of Indigenous governments to run their own child-welfare agencies.
    • The Paradox: The government “completed” Call 4 by passing Bill C-92. However, the AFN reports the number of First Nations children in care has not decreased. This is a perfect example of a “checklist” completion versus a “material change” failure.
  • Education (Calls 6-12):
    • The Call: To eliminate the funding discrepancy for on-reserve schools and provide culturally appropriate curricula.
    • The Paradox: While some new curricula exist, the AFN reports the core funding gap for schools remains “unstable and insufficient,” and funding for basic school *infrastructure* has actually decreased.
  • Language & Culture (Calls 13-17):
    • The Call: To pass an Aboriginal Languages Act and provide funds to revitalize dying languages.
    • The Paradox: The Indigenous Languages Act was passed (Checklist complete!). However, the AFN notes that the funding provided is so “unstable and insufficient” that it creates an “unfunded right,” defeating the urgent purpose of the call.
  • Justice (Calls 25-42):
    • The Call: To eliminate the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system (Call 30) and implement Indigenous justice systems (Call 42).
    • The Failure: This area has seen the least progress. The problem of overrepresentation has gotten significantly worse since 2015, a fact confirmed by Canada’s own Correctional Investigator.

Part 2: Reconciliation (Calls 43-94)

These calls focus on building a new, decolonized relationship for the future. They demand structural change from all sectors of Canadian society.

  • UNDRIP (Call 43-44):
  • Commemoration (Calls 71-83):
  • Business & Reconciliation (Call 92):
  • Newcomers to Canada (Calls 93-94):
    • The Call: To revise the newcomer’s citizenship test guide (Call 93) and update the Oath of Citizenship to include Treaties (Call 94).
    • The Absurd Paradox: The Oath (Call 94) is complete. New Canadians now swear to uphold Treaties. However, the study guide (Call 93) is still not updated and contains colonial narratives. This means Canada is forcing new citizens to swear a legal oath to Treaties they have not been educated about.

Clearing Up the Confusion: TRC vs. MMIWG vs. UNDRIP

These terms are often used together, but they are not the same. Here’s a simple breakdown:

  • The 94 TRC Calls to Action: This is the 2015 “blueprint” created to redress the specific legacy of *residential schools*. Think of it as the “how-to” guide for reconciliation.
  • The 231 MMIWG Calls for Justice: This is the 2019 “legal imperative” from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It addresses the ongoing *race-based genocide* of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The MMIWG Inquiry calls these “Calls for Justice,” not “action,” to frame them as legal and human rights obligations.
  • UNDRIP (UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples): This is the overarching international human rights framework. TRC Call to Action #43 demands that Canada adopt UNDRIP as the *guide* for all its reconciliation efforts.

What Can You Do? (ReconciliACTION)

The TRC and MMIWG reports make it clear that reconciliation is “everyone’s responsibility.” The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) has a framework called “ReconciliACTION” that outlines tangible steps for all Canadians.

Here are key actions you can take to move beyond passive acknowledgment:

  • Educate Yourself: Take personal responsibility for your learning. Read the 94 Calls to Action and the 231 Calls for Justice. Read books by Indigenous authors.
  • Do Not Burden Indigenous Peoples: Do not rely on Indigenous colleagues, friends, or acquaintances to do the work of educating you or helping you navigate your feelings. This is your work to do.
  • Engage with Place: Learn the Land Acknowledgment for the territory you live on. Research the Treaty (or lack thereof) that governs that land. Find out if a residential school operated in your area, memorize its name, and visit its former site.
  • Show Up & Support: Attend public cultural events like a pow wow. Purchase goods directly from Indigenous artists and creators. Actively support Indigenous-led businesses to fulfill the spirit of Call to Action #92.
  • Be an Ally: Use your voice. Write to your Member of Parliament, Premier, and municipal government demanding the full implementation of *all* Calls. Challenge the anti-Indigenous racism and misinformation that allows the “Accountability Gap” to persist.