Hutchinson Committed To Duty To Consult Policy

Hutchinson Committed To Duty To Consult Policy

Wednesday, June 03, 2009 at 16:51

The province’s new minister of First Nations and Metis Relations says he’s committed to keeping the duty to consult policy on the fast track to implementation.

Bill Hutchinson says he doesn’t want the cabinet shuffle to affect the timetable set by both the provincial government and First Nations for getting the new policy in place.

He took over the First Nations and Metis Relations portfolio from June Draude earlier this week.

Recognizing that this is an election year for many bands, Hutchinson says he plans to seek First Nations’ input not only on the issues, but on when further policy discussions should take place.

He says he recognizes the importance and seriousness of the policy to First Nations, as an example of “representative government”.

Hutchinson says his team is “absolutely determined” to incorporate the Supreme Court’s ruling on consulting with Aboriginal people into provincial policy as quickly and effectively as possible.