Claims Plan Pre-Dates Blockade Threat: Prentice
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 14:16
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice says the Conservative government’s plans to address land claims have not been brought about by the threat of Native protests.
The government intends to introduce legislation in the fall that, if passed, will see an independent and binding land claims tribunal in place by early next year.
Prentice says the Assembly of First Nations will help draft the legislation.
Prior to yesterday’s announcement, the AFN had declared June 29th to be a national day of action.
But Prentice rejects any suggestion those plans prompted the Tory government’s announcement yesterday.
He says the planned overhaul of the claims process dates back to his time as the chair of the Indian Claims Commission before he took office.
Prentice also says the land claims issue was the very first topic he discussed with AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine when he first became minister last year.
Prentice adds his government intends to show that an improved land claims process is the way to get results — not blockades.