Accomplishments on Indigenous issues by the Liberal government on one-year election anniversary

October 20, 2016

October 19, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today marks one year since the Liberal party under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership won the 2015 federal election and formed a majority government. The Indigenous Peoples’ Commission is proud to highlight some of the many accomplishments on developing a new relationship between the government and First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples and communities.

“Much has been accomplished in the first year, there is however much more hard work that lies ahead on the path to reconciliation, building trust relationships, nurturing and growing this new and renewed Nation-to-Nation relationship. We are confident that the Liberal government will continue to move forward to achieve mutual goals with Indigenous Peoples and Nations. Below is a list of actions, programs, funding and initiatives announced in the first year”  – IPC National Executive

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau names Jody Wilson-Raybould as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and names Dr. Carolyn Bennett as Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Liberal government changes name of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to Indigenous Affairs, including starting to use the appropriate “Indigenous” vernacular in government communications.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau includes important reference to relationship with Indigenous peoples in every cabinet minister’s mandate letter; makes mandate letters public.

Restoring the long-form census. This is important because governments and organizations determine funding and resources decisions for Indigenous communities, people, businesses and non-profit organizations based on these statistics.

Liberal government accepts all Call(s) to Action coming from the Truth and Reconciliation Report

Liberal government reinstates funds being held back by the previous Conservative government’s First Nations Financial Transparency Act (FNTA). FNTA was legislation unilaterally forced upon First Nations without any consultation or consideration to reporting requirements already in place.

Liberal government includes Indigenous representatives on panels to select independent Senators (Dawn Lavell-Harvard) and Supreme Court of Canada nominee(s) (Stephen Kakfwi)

The Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister have been consistent with visiting, consulting and engaging First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities.

– La Loche http://tinyurl.com/hkj4hxe | The Toronto Star | January 29, 2016

– TsuuT’ina Nation http://tinyurl.com/zf6vgne | Huffington Post Canada | April 4, 2016

– Shoal Lake #40 First Nation http://tinyurl.com/zxaqyy3 | Global News | April 28, 2016

– Blood Tribe (Kainai) http://tinyurl.com/z987bw6 | Global News | October 14, 2016

Justice Murray Sinclair appointed as an Independent Senator

Liberal government allocates a record $8.4 billion over five years to improve socio-economic conditions of Indigenous peoples

$25 million for Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy

Budget 2016’s Proposed Funding for Infrastructure in Indigenous Communities

Government of Canada invest $53 million in Urban Aboriginal Strategy

Liberal government adopts United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples “without qualification”

Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a New Fiscal Relationship with the Assembly of First Nations

New Canada Child Benefit supports millions of low-income and middle-income families, including thousands of Indigenous families.

Liberal government commits $9 million for the implementation first national Inuit suicide prevention strategy

Canada launches inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls #MMIWG

Liberal government opens news schools on First Nations, Siksika First Nation featured

Liberal government invests $4 million in safe-drinking water in Ontario First Nations

 

For more information: ipc-cpa@liberal.ca

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