Native Accountability Debated In Committee Hearing

Native Accountability Debated In Committee Hearing

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 13:58

A national Aboriginal leader and a Liberal senator debated First Nations accountability in a Senate committee hearing in Ottawa today.

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal peoples is reviewing former Prime Minister Paul Martin’s bill to have the Kelowna Accord implemented.

The bill passed in the House of Commons last year — but was opposed by the Conservative government.

In testimony this morning, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Patrick Brazeau argued against providing more money to band councils without better accountability measures in place.

But Liberal Senator Romeo Dallaire countered that Canada shouldn’t ask things of Aboriginal governments that it’s not willing to ask of countries receiving aid.

The $5.1 billion Kelowna deal was signed by the previous Liberal regime, but the Tories have refused to implement it.