Tory plan means trouble for aboriginals

Doug Cuthand
Monday, January 16, 2006
The Leader-Post (Regina)

This federal election is one of the most important elections for First Nations and Metis people in recent history. Agreements left on the table with the fall of the Liberal government may well fall between the cracks if the Conservative party takes office.

The residential school compensation agreement has the support of all the parties. The agreement was taken to the parliamentary committee on aboriginal peoples before the election and all parties gave their support to the compensation formula.

The issue that has First Nations and Metis leaders most concerned is Conservative MP Monte Solberg’s statement that a Conservative government would not honour a $5.2-billion agreement to improve health care, education and housing for First Nations and Metis communities.

Stating that it was something the Liberals, “crafted at the last minute on the back of a napkin on the eve of an election,” he stated the Conservatives would not honour the agreement if they formed government.

On the other hand, Jim Prentice — the Conservative aboriginal affairs critic — stated that they would honour all commitments made at the last First Ministers’ meeting. He made the statement in Yellowknife while campaigning for the local Conservative candidate.

The reaction from political organizations was swift and they condemned the Conservative party’s confusing statements.

“This is a serious concern for First Nations and all Canadians because there is no indication of a strategic approach to the First Nations agenda,” Assembly of First Nations national Chief Phil Fontaine said in a written statement. He further called upon Conservative Leader Stephen Harper to come forward and clarify the matter.

Metis Nation president Clem Chartier stated that Solberg’s comments tell him that the Conservatives have little or no respect or appreciation for aboriginal peoples.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Alphonse Bird stated: “The agreement reached in Kelowna by the First Ministers came as a result of many months’ work by First Nations leadership and governments from across Canada. To narrow these commitments and equate them with some sort of election promise is short-sighted and absolutely false.”

Solberg, the finance critic, is very much on the same political page as Harper. Prentice is viewed as a moderate and more progressive.

The Conservatives issued a press release stating that they support initiatives to improve aboriginal conditions but the release was devoid of any indication that they would respect the Kelowna agreement. It was a weak response and did nothing to clarify Solberg’s comments.

In their campaign literature, all the parties make statements that they will work to make life better for First Nations and Metis people by recognizing self-government, improving employment and training opportunities and resolving outstanding land claims.

But the Conservatives make the disturbing statement that they will create the First Nations Land Ownership Act and transfer land ownership from the Crown to the First Nations, effectively privatizing Indian land. This has never been a request by the First Nations leadership nor is it even on the radar internally. Our leaders have made it clear that First Nations land is owned collectively and is not real estate.

This is a policy statement that has been circulated by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and now it’s been picked up by the Conservatives. The taxpayers federation is a right-wing organization that serves as a de facto policy developer for the Conservatives.

This gaffe on the part of Solberg could result in the loss of at least two seats. In the Western Arctic, Liberal incumbent Ethel Blondin-Andrew is in a close race and the Conservative candidate, Rick Edjericon, is also aboriginal. In Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River, the Conservative incumbent Jeremy Harrison is also in a close race with aboriginal candidates Gary Merasty and Anita Jackson. Both Conservative candidates are now campaigning at a disadvantage with a lack of aboriginal voter support.

Cuthand is a freelance writer based in Saskatoon