NDP commit to “nation-to-nation” relationship with First Nations

October 7, 2015

First Nations members want more than words from Thomas Mulcair that an NDP government under his leadership will deliver the billions of dollars’ worth of promises he outlined this morning during an open forum hosted by the Assembly of First Nations.

“Words are a dime a dozen. People have come and told us they’re going to do this, they’re going to do that. But how serious is the New Democrats in changing the unjust society First Nations have lived in on their own land?” asked Rose Laboucan, former Chief of the Driftpile First Nation.

Mulcair said he believes actions speak louder than words and he pointed to his attendance at the forum – the only leader to make an appearance.

Photo caption: Assembly
of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde shakes hands with NPD leader
Thomas Mulcair. (Photo: Shari Narine)

“There are two Canadas today separated by gaps that grow wider by every decade of discrimination,” said Mulcair. “These gaps exist as a legacy of inaction, indifference and in some cases, malice, from governments of every stripe that
could have done better.”

Mulcair said he wanted to put an end to these two Canadas.

“I am determined to act. I am determined to close the gaps in education, health care, housing and in infrastructure. My success as prime minister will be measured by the progress we make to improve the life of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples,” said Mulcair.

To that end, Mulcair unveiled an ambitious plan to address Indigenous issues:

• Remove the two per cent funding cap imposed by the Liberal government and maintained by the Conservative government.
• Increase investment in First Nations education by $1.8 billion over the next four years and $4.8 billion over right years based on an annual escalator.
• Improve critical infrastructure in Indigenous
  communities, including clean water and sanitation facilities, with $375 million over four years.
• Provide $96 million over four years and long-term funding of $800 million over 20 years to support infrastructure projects.
• Call an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women within 100 days of taking office and provide $50 million to support it.
• Commit $68 million to revitalize Indigenous languages.
• Improve health services available for Indigenous
  people in urban centres with an investment of $120 million and an additional $5 million for suicide prevention.
• Acting on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, $8 million over four years would be given to support the National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Mulcair said he would find the additional dollars by getting rid of some of the tax breaks Harper has given the elite and doing away with some of the Conservative programs. He also noted that Canada spent $106 million in one year in court
fighting First Nations.

“I have different priorities from Stephen Harper,” said Mulcair

Mulcair said as NDP Premier Rachel Notley has committed in Alberta to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples so he would do throughout Canada. He also said that he would chair a committee, along with  Abitibi--Baie-James--Nunavik—Eeyou MP Romeo Saganash, who was responsible for a portion of UNDRIP, and he would ensure that all government decisions respected treaty rights, inherent rights, and Canada’s international obligations to Indigenous peoples.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said commitments made by Mulcair were positive, but not enough.

“We have to hold people to their words. That’s what we have to do,” said Bellegarde. “If they’re saying this publicly, if they’re putting their documents in writing, after Oct. 19, as National Chief I will work with whoever gets elected to make sure that their feet are held to the fire for what they said to make these commitments.”

Bellegarde said Indigenous voters could influence 51 ridings so getting out the Indigenous vote was important.

“Our issues are important. Our priorities are important. It’s in the best interest of this country to close the gap,” he said.