The charge of genocide against Canada in its treatment of indigenous peoples is “factually wrong,” says a historian and international studies professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. “Systematic and deliberate killing on a widespread scale is an absolutely essential component of genocide, and it doesn’t exist in this case,” said Jack Cunningham in an interview. “It’s important to understand where we came from and what our actual misdeeds are historically, and the charge of genocide is one that I think undercuts the very legitimacy of Canada as a nation state.” Cunningham is one of over 50 historians and academics who recently signed a letter expressing their “grave disappointment” with a statement issued by the Canadian Historical Association (CHA) on the occasion of Canada Day. The statement claimed there is a “broad consensus” among historical experts that Canada’s history “fully warrants our use …