Liberal government would commit to implementing all TRC calls to action

“We want everyone to understand the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and those calls to action. That means that we, as the Liberal Party, have accepted, in entirety, all of the calls to action,” said Liberal Critic for Aboriginal Affairs Carolyn Bennett.

Bennett spoke to a media and Alberta Liberal candidates from northern Alberta on Sept. 10, in Edmonton, a day after Liberal leader Justin Trudeau attended a rally in the city and met with Mayor Don Iveson.

“We have committed to embark on a Kelowna-like process in terms of working with the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Nations and working with the provinces and territories to move forward in a good way,” said Bennett, who also serves as MP
for Toronto-St-Paul’s.

The Kelowna Accord was defeated with a change of government in May 2006 when the Conservatives, under Stephen Harper, chose to move away from participating in cooperation and consultation with First Nations leaders and government. Rather, the Conservatives focused on meeting the targets laid out during the First Ministers’ meeting in Kelowna but did not agree with the “round table” approach taken by the previous government.

In June, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau committed to accepting and supporting the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“We don’t believe that after six years of intensive work we should be cherry picking which recommendations we do,” said Bennett.

Bennett restated that a Liberal government would also commit to closing the education funding gap by making an immediate new investment of $515 million per year in core annual funding for First Nations in kindergarten through to Grade 12. That amount will rise to $750 million per year by the end of the first mandate. Additionally $500 million will be immediately invested, over three years, for First Nations education infrastructure. For Indigenous post-secondary students, who require financial assistance, an additional $50 million in annual support to the Post-Secondary Student Support Program will be added.

A Liberal government would also “put together the framework for reconciliation and will honour the calls to action put forth by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by honouring the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Bennett.

“We have committed to calling on an inquiry into the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. What we are saying is that from coast-to-coast-to-coast the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is not an Aboriginal issue; it’s not an Indigenous issue; nor is it a woman’s issue. It is a Canadian issue,” said Bennett, “we know we have to get it right if it’s going to be effective.”

Bennett also committed to a Liberal government addressing the issue of child welfare, saying the focus should be put on addressing poverty and not apprehending children.

“It is unacceptable that there are more children in care than during the height of residential schools and the ‘60s scoop,” she said.

“How we move forward in a good way is by resetting that ever important relationship between First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples in Canada. (Aboriginal people must) know that they will have a partner in Ottawa that will respect their inherent rights and the treaties,” said Bennett.

Photo caption: Standing with Liberal Aboriginal affairs critic Dr. Carolyn Bennett (behind podium) are northern Alberta Liberal candidates (from left) Reagan Johnston (Grand Prairie-Mackenzie), Garry Parenteau, (Lakeland), Karen Leibozici (Edmonton-West), Beatrice Ghettuba (St. Albert- Edmonton), Kyle Harrietha (Fort McMurray- Cold Lake) and Amarjeet Sohi (Edmonton- Mill Woods). (Photo: Hazel Martial)