Megan Leslie questions Conservatives on First Nations

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• published: 04 Jun 2015
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June 3, 2015 - House of Commons, Canada Question Period Megan Leslie Halifax, NS: Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we heard a clear message from the survivors and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: words are not enough. There also needs to be concrete action. However, the Prime Minister is once again refusing to implement key recommendations, such as the recommendation to apply the principles set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Why is he refusing to take this opportunity to move toward reconciliation? Mark Strahl Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development: Mr. Speaker, we again thank the TRC for its work. We thank the former residential school students for the courage and strength they showed in sharing their stories with Canadians. Canada is one of the only countries in the world where aboriginal and treaty rights are entrenched in its Constitution. We have endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as an aspirational document, and a significant step forward in improving our relationship with aboriginal peoples. We will continue to take concrete measures to improve the living conditions of aboriginal peoples. Megan Leslie Halifax, NS: Mr. Speaker, it is too bad the government lacks the courage and strength to act. It said no to an inquiry on missing and murdered indigenous women. It passed legislation affecting aboriginal rights without any consultation. It voted against implementing the UN declaration. It has underfunded first nations education and social services. It has spent hundreds of millions of dollars fighting aboriginal and treaty rights. As Justice Murray Sinclair has said, “Words are not enough”. Will the Prime Minister commit to real change and real reconciliation? Mark Strahl Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development: Mr. Speaker, it was our government that signed the residential schools agreement, made the apology on behalf of all Canadians, and created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. It was this Prime Minister who made the historic apology to former students of Indian residential schools, their families and their communities. Our government has implemented many initiatives to improve the lives of first nations living in this country. Our government will keep working with aboriginal communities and individuals to improve their lives. We would like the opposition to actually get on board and support those concrete measures that we have taken to improve the lives of aboriginal peoples. Megan Leslie Halifax, NS: Mr. Speaker, reconciliation is not just about what happened in the past, it is about what is still happening today. Twenty years after the last residential school closed, the state of first nations education in Canada is a disgrace. There are too many first nations children who do not have a safe, quality school to attend in their local community. First nations students still receive an average of $8,000 less than students in the rest of Canada. Will the government act now to close the gap before another generation suffers from these discriminatory education policies? Mark Strahl Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development: Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian residential schools. As acknowledged by the Prime Minister's historic apology on behalf of all Canadians in 2008, there is no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired Indian residential schools to ever prevail again. We continue to make significant investments in aboriginal education. Our recent budget committed substantial funding for education on reserve, and builds upon an investment of $500 million that was announced last year by the Prime Minister for first nations education infrastructure. We will continue to work with first nations, parents, teachers, schools and leaders to improve the quality of first nations education on reserve.