Turner pledges support for rights

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Aboriginal self-government can be entrenched despite the controversial Meech Lake Accord, says Liberal leader John Turner.

Speaking at a student forum at the University of Alberta Jan. 21 Turner said Liberal support for the accord only came after the government agreed to organizing further first minister conferences.

The accord gives veto power to the federal government and the ten provinces over further changes to the constitution. Before the accord, signed last summer, any amendments required the agreement of seven out of ten provinces.

Commenting on the Lubicon Lake land claim, Turner said the government must recognize the Aboriginal right to self-government before any steps toward resolving the land claim could be taken.