Kelowna Accord Motion Passes

Kelowna Accord Motion Passes

Thursday, June 22, 2006 at 13:59

A Liberal motion calling on the Conservatives to immediately implement the Kelowna Accord passed in the House of Commons earlier this week.

The motion, which has less impact than a bill, passed by a vote of 161 to 121. The Conservatives voted against it, while the Liberals got votes from the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois.

Desnethe-Missinipi-Churchill River MP Gary Merasty says it has put even more political pressure on the Tories to honour the Kelowna deal.

The Kelowna Accord, signed by the previous Liberal government last November, promised $5.1 billion to improve the quality of life of Aboriginal people — but the Conservatives set aside much less for Native spending in their budget this spring.

Merasty says he expects the Tories will continue to support Aboriginal initiatives that don’t cost money.