APTN National News
OTTAWA--The Conservative government unveiled its priorities Friday with a Speech from the Throne that pledged to “renew and deepen” Canada’s relationship with First Nations by removing the “barriers to social and economic participation that many Aboriginal Canadians face.”
The speech, read by Gov. Gen. David Johnston, laid out the agenda for the recently elected Conservative majority government which largely focused on the economy and getting the country’s book back in the black.
In a section of the speech titled, “Here for communities and industries,” the government said it wanted to better integrate Aboriginal people into the Canadian economic and social mainstream.
“Canada’s Aboriginal peoples are central to Canada’s history, and our government has made it a priority to renew and deepen our relationship,” said Johnston. “The contribution of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples will be important to our future prosperity. Concerted action is needed to address the barriers to social and economic participation that many Aboriginal Canadian’s face.”
The government pledged to “promote access to clean water” and use more clean energy technology in Aboriginal and northern communities.
The government also promised to build on the work of the blue-ribbon panel announced by the Conservatives in their previous incarnation as a minority government tasked with studying ways to improve on-reserve elementary and secondary education.
The government also said it planned to improve and expand adult basic education in the territories.
“Our government will engage with partners to make concrete, positive changes to give First Nations children a better education so they can realize their dreams,” said Johnston.
New investments are also planned for First Nations Land Management, a legislative-based program created to allow First Nations to develop codes and laws to govern and manage reserve lands.
The government is also planning to introduce legislation on matrimonial real property rights to govern the handling of on-reserve assets following a divorce or death.
“Our government will also introduce legislation to ensure that people living on reserve have the same matrimonial real property rights and protections as other Canadians,” Johnston said.
The government also said it would complete the complete the last leg of the Dempster Highway, finally linking Inuvik, NT., to Tuktoyaktuk, NT.
“Thereby realizing (former prime minister)John Diefenbaker’s vision,” said Johnston.
The North would also continue to be a “cornerstone” of the government’s agenda, said Johnston.
“The strongest expression of our sovereignty comes through presence and actions, not words,” he said. “Our government will continue to exercise leadership in the stewardship of northern lands and waters.”
There are also plans to create an urban national park in the Rouge Valley of eastern Toronto.
“In this, the 100th anniversary year of our national parks system, our government will create significant new protected areas,” said Johnston. “It will work with provincial, regional, municipal, Aboriginal and community stakeholders toward establishing an urban national park.”
The speech made no mention of any plans for a meeting between Harper and First Nations leaders.
Assembly of First Nations national Chief Shawn Atleo has been calling for a meeting.
The event, held in the Senate Red Chamber, was momentarily upstaged by Senate page Brigette Marcelle, 21, who stepped onto the chamber floor with a red, “Stop Harper” sign for a few seconds before she was escorted away.
“Harper’s agenda is disastrous for this country and for my generation,” said a statement from Marcelle sent to APTN National News. “We have to stop him from wasting billions on fighter jets, military bases and corporate tax cuts while cutting social programs and destroying the climate.”
She has been fired.
