In advance of the Oct. 19 federal election, The Squamish Chief is posing a series of questions on issues of importance to Squamish voters to the candidates for the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding.
Q: How will you foster a productive relationship with First Nations in your riding while in office?
Ken Melamed, Green Party of Canada:
Of all other federal parties, the Green Party of Canada has made the strongest commitment to building a working relationship with First Nations based on trust. One of our big ideas is to convene a council of Canadian governments, which provides a seat at the table for First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders. Not only will we work to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and launch a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, but we’ll recognize indigenous title and rights, negotiate in good faith to settle land claims, establish treaties and self-government arrangements, address the structural violence against indigenous communities, and move to repeal the Indian Act should that be the consensus of First Nations. We have also set aside dedicated funding to ensure quality public services for all First Nations, Métis and Inuit.
Pam Goldsmith-Jones, Liberal Party of Canada:
The Liberal Party of Canada is committed to the recommend-ations of the Truth and Reconciliation report. Personally, this is in keeping with my long-standing, positive and productive relationship with the Squamish Nation chiefs and Council, and members of the Squamish Nation community. I have worked respectfully with Chief Leonard Andrew of Lil’wat Nation during the 2010 Winter Olympic games especially, and more recently I have become well acquainted with Chief Calvin Craigan from the Shishahl Nation as well as their community priorities going forward.
Improving relations within our diverse community is a key priority of mine throughout my political career thus far, and I plan on keeping it that way as your representative in Ottawa. As mayor of West Vancouver, I championed multiple joint initiatives with the Squamish Nation. Furthermore, I have themed my education and professional development around the promotion of First Nations issues. In June I earned an MBA in aboriginal business and leadership at Simon Fraser University.
Larry Koopman, New Democratic Party:
It’s time for a new era that embraces a true Nation-to-Nation relationship, built on respect and, above all, makes meaningful progress when it comes to bringing about change.
An NDP government will create a cabinet-level committee chaired by Tom Mulcair as prime minister to ensure that all government decisions respect treaty rights, inherent rights and Canada’s international obligations; call a national inquiry into the issue of the 1,200 missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls within our first 100 days in office; fix our country’s broken treaty process and deal with unresolved land claims; implement the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; reverse the dangerous damage done by Stephen Harper by putting teeth back into the environmental assessment process, working to protect our lakes and rivers and repealing Bill C-51; take action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations on a priority basis established in consultation with Indigenous communities; improve essential physical infrastructure such as housing, roads and drinking water facilities; and stop underfunding First Nations schools.
John Weston, Conservative Party of Canada:
All aboriginal communities are important to our future and to Canada’s economy. Consultation with all communities in our riding is very important to developing policy, processes and laws that ensure the sustainability of our quality of life. To be effective, there must be clarity in the consultative process. Consultation does not mean you consult after an initiative is announced, but prior as part of planning for the future. Nor is consultation a one-way effort or privilege that is limited to one group or sector. All communities have to feel a connection with their MP, and in this my record is strong. I have identified over 50 representatives across all communities in this riding, and have sought out to meet with them and keep a continued dialogue with each.
In regards to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), our government recognizes that there have been dark chapters in Canada’s relationship with First Nations. I am proud that it was our government that not only initiated the TRC, but also asked that the commission be allowed to extend their mandate for an extra year.
