Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his government’s plan to change the way Canada relates to Indigenous people.
Trudeau told the House of Commons Wednesday afternoon that the Liberals will come up with a new legal framework to ensure stronger Indigenous rights and self determination.
He says the new approach, which will be developed in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, is necessary to tackle challenges like overcrowded housing, unsafe drinking water and high suicide rates.
“To ensure that among other things Indigenous people might once again have confidence in a system that has failed them many times in the past,” said Trudeau. “That is why we will bring forward broad based and concrete reforms to the criminal justice system including to how jury’s are selected.”
It has been 35 years since Aboriginal and Treaty rights were affirmed in the Constitution Act. Trudeau says while Section 35 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and Treaty rights those rights have not been implemented by the Canadian government.
The Prime Minister says too often the fight for Indigenous rights has been played out in court battles.
“To truly renew the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples we need a comprehensive and far reaching approach,” he told the House. “Until we get this part right we won’t have lasting success.”
Trudeau pondered if some may worry that this approach will require re-opening the Constitution.
“That is not true,” he said. “We are finally giving full right to Section 35 of the Constitution.”
After Trudeau’s address Conservative MP Cathy McLeod spoke on behalf of the official opposition. McLeod spoke highly of the previous Harper’s government work on reconciliation including a formal apology for residential schools and the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“Together all parties agree to a new path for Canada appreciating Canada’s diverse Aboriginal communities,” said McLeod.
The Kamloops MP did raise concern about the Liberal government being unable to meet the lofty promises they have made in the past.
Trudeau’s announcement comes just one day after his meeting with family members of Colten Boushie.
“We have a responsibility to do better…to be better… to ensure no family has to go through what they went through,” said Trudeau.
The new framework will be unveiled later this year following consultations with Indigenous people and federal ministers.
Trudeau says the Liberals intend to implement the new framework in time for the 2019 election.
(PHOTO: Justin Trudeau meeting with LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson in Saskatoon. Photo by Joel Willick)