OTTAWA - The minority Conservative government must listen to the people who will be most affected by a bill addressing the human rights of Aboriginal peoples before rushing it through Parliament, Liberal Indian Affairs Critic Anita Neville said today.
"We support the intent of this bill," said Ms. Neville. "What we object to is the government's determination to see it passed without consulting the people it will most affect."
The Liberal Opposition, along with the members of the other Opposition parties, today voted in a meeting of the Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Commons to suspend debate on Bill C-44 for a maximum of 10 months in order to allow time for proper consultation with First Nations.
The bill, which was introduced in December 2006, seeks to repeal a section of the Canadian Human Rights Act which prevents First Nations people from lodging complaints of discrimination against the federal and First Nations governments in relation to acts and decisions authorized by the Indian Act.
Some of the central concerns of the Opposition include the lack of consultation with First Nations prior to the introduction of the bill; the possible effects of the bill on the longstanding treaty rights of first nations; the short transition period the bill allows; the balance between collective and individual human rights; and, the possible need for additional resources for First Nations to respond to their new responsibilities as result of the bill.
"Since the standing committee first started hearing testimony on this bill we have heard time and again that it must be changed if the interests of First Nations are to be served," Ms. Neville said. "The Canadian Human Right Commission, the Canadian Bar Association, the Assembly of First Nations, the Native Women's Association of Canada - have called for changes to this bill. Many other witnesses testified in favour of reforms. Why can't the Conservatives listen?"
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