Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

March 22, 2007

Government Supports Federal Bill to Implement the Kelowna Accord

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has a strong record of working with the federal government and Aboriginal leaders to ensure that appropriate supports are realized for the future well-being of Aboriginal communities in this province. For this reason, government supports Bill C-292, an Act to Implement the Kelowna Accord. This bill recently passed through the House of Commons and calls on the federal government to fulfill its obligations under the Kelowna Accord.

The Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, today said, "The Premier and I along with Aboriginal leaders from this province attended the First Ministers meeting with Aboriginal leaders in Kelowna, in November 2005. We were very disappointed to learn the federal budget for 2007 would not live up to agreements made by the previous federal government during those meetings."

In Kelowna, Aboriginal leaders came together with the federal government, provinces and territories in a non-partisan way to develop practical solutions to close the gaps between Aboriginal communities and the rest of the country. The priority issues addressed at the meeting included health, education, housing and economic development. The agreement was the product of 18 months of negotiation between Aboriginal leaders, premiers and territorial leaders. It would have brought $5.1 billion, over five years, to improving the quality of life in Aboriginal communities across the country.

"Everyone who was in Kelowna felt very good about what we accomplished there," said Minister Rideout. "It is too bad the current federal government does not see it as a priority to continue this work that provided so much hope to Aboriginal communities across the country. The Aboriginal leaders from this province who attended the meeting were very pleased with the work that we all did collectively. It was work that went beyond partisan lines because everyone agreed it was the right thing to do."

Aboriginal communities are among the fastest growing in the province and country. They are one of the fastest-growing segments of the population. "We need to make sure that federal spending keeps pace with the growth of Aboriginal communities," said the minister. "That is a priority for our government and will continue to be a priority. It is unfortunate that the current federal government does not see the Kelowna Accord as a priority."

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Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca

2007 03 22                                                    12:45 p.m.

 


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