Martin Cauchon responds to APC Leadership Questionnaire February 25, 2013 Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Email The Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission of the Liberal Party of Canada was pleased to receive a response to our Leadership Questionnaire from Liberal Leadership candidate, and former Member of Parliament, Martin Cauchon. View his responses below: Q1: Have you had any personal involvement with Aboriginal issues, either through Aboriginal communities in your riding or otherwise? Yes, while I was Secretary of State for Economic Development for the Region of Quebec, I visited many communities. Also, I had the opportunity to announce several economic development projects for aboriginal communities – for example, the Waskahegen Fund for aboriginal entrepreneurs who live off-reserve. As well, while I was Minister of Justice, I updated the National Aboriginal Justice Strategy (in 2002).” Q2: Do you support the idea of the Government of Canada negotiating with First Nations on a nation-to-nation basis toward replacement of the Indian Act? Indeed, it seems we all agree that the Indian Act has to be replaced and that will have to be done in agreement and consultations with the First Nations.” Q3: Do you support the establishment of a royal commission to investigate the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women? The Sisters in Spirit program created by the previous Liberal government did tremendous work in conducting research and creating a data bank. The Harper government’s decision to reduce and redirect funding has essentially brought that work to an end. However, rather than create a royal commission which is slow and cumbersome, it would seem more appropriate to restore funding for NWAC to continue its important work, and to restore funding for some of the many other aboriginal programs cut by this government, such as the First Nations Statistical Institute, as well as appointing a special task force within the Justice Department’s aboriginal portfolio to focus on this specific issue.” Q4: Statistics show that the number of people speaking Aboriginal languages as a first language is falling but the number of people speaking Aboriginal languages as a second language is increasing. Do you support federal funding of Aboriginal language programs and offering federal services in Aboriginal languages where numbers warrant? Yes, where the numbers warrant. A language is vital to keep a nation alive – it is a sign of vitality. First Nations culture and tradition are an important part of our Canadian fabric.” Q5: Would you support lifting the cap on education funding increases so that Aboriginal students have access to the same quality of education as other students? Yes, statistics demonstrate that education is key for community and a healthy standard of living. Communities with higher levels of education have a lower rate of poverty. First Nations must have the opportunity to participate fully in Canadian society.” Q6: Would you support efforts to address the funding disparity between First Nations children in welfare care and those non-Aboriginal children in provincial care? Yes.” Q7: Would you support re-introduction of the Kelowna Accord? Yes. This is an important initiative that was noteworthy for its inclusivity and its concrete recommendations, with timelines and clear objectives that would go a long way towards improving the quality of life for all aboriginal Canadians.” Q8: Do you believe it would be appropriate for the Liberal Party of Canada to formally apologize to Aboriginal peoples for introduction in 1969 of a White Paper whose intent was assimilation of Aboriginal peoples? No. The decision was taken by the government of the day, and not by the Liberal Party, so it is not appropriate for the party to apologize. This was not a party resolution. Moreover, white papers are studies or proposals put out tentatively by government departments for public discussion prior to possible action. Given the overwhelmingly negative response to this white paper it was immediately dropped, and therefore no government policy was adopted for which an apology would be necessary.” Q9: Would you support efforts to increase understanding within Aboriginal communities of the issues of Two-Spirited peoples? Canadians in general need to have a better understanding of gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals. As the Justice Minister who introduced legislation to establish same-sex marriage provisions, I would whole-heartedly support such efforts.” Q10: Do you agree that the Government of Canada has a duty to consult with Aboriginal peoples regarding natural resource development on Aboriginal territory and that such development should only proceed with the substantial consent of the affected Aboriginal peoples? Yes. See Section 35 of the Constitution, in accordance with a decision of the Supreme Court. First Nations communities must be respected on their territory, and be considered as partners.” Q11: Do you agree that the Government of Canada is legally bound to comply with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? The government of Canada endorsed this Declaration in November 2010 and is morally bound to respect its intent. However it is also true that the declaration does not have legal force.” Q12: Would you support efforts to establish a consultative process between the Government of Canada and Aboriginal communities to deal with the crisis of lack of clean drinking water in Aboriginal communities across the country? Yes!” Q13: Recognizing that some of the largest Aboriginal communities now are in urban centres, would you support efforts to promote Aboriginal culture within the larger community and increase opportunities for urban Aboriginal people to stay connected with their Aboriginal heritage? Yes. The work of the National Association of Friendship Centres, created under Liberal governments and receiving core funding from government, is just one example of this type of support.” Q14: How would you work to ensure greater participation among Aboriginal people in the Canadian political process? The Liberal Party has been in the forefront of this, having created the Aboriginal Commission. However more can and should be done to ensure that aboriginal peoples see themselves represented in the political process in Canada, notably by encouraging individuals to present themselves as candidates for public office.” Q15: How do you envision the path forward between the Crown and Indigenous Nations with respect to Aboriginal title and inherent Treaty rights? This is a critically important and massive issue which must be resolved through negotiation and consensus rather than a resort to legal measures, which are time consuming, costly and often counter-productive. Above all the federal government must demonstrate the political will to resolve this matter in a timely fashion. Too much time and effort has been spent on this to date with too little result.” Q16: Canada is home to the suicide capital of the world: the community of Pikangikum. In Canada, suicide rates among Inuit youth are 11 times the national average. For First Nations youth, they are five to seven times higher than non-First Nations. Would you support an Aboriginal suicide prevention strategy? Yes. That being said, we need a strategy that goes back to basics – social, economic, educational challenges. This is why the Kelowna Accords were of great value.” Q17: The Government of Canada provides a Non-Insured Health Benefits program for certain Aboriginal groups. Considering the dramatically lower general health outcomes for Aboriginal Canadians, would you support an expansion of the program? Again, greater attention to practical issues and challenges outlined in the Kelowna Accord would provide greater results than a band-aid solution.” Q18: Recent statistics have shown that a young indigenous person in Canada is more likely to go to prison than to graduate from high school. With the recent introduction of Bill C-10 the statistics will only get worse for Aboriginal incarceration. Would you support repeal of C-10 and the appointment of a “Deputy Commissioner for Aboriginal Corrections” to the Correctional Service Canada Executive Committee? I am in favour of crime prevention and social reintegration. See National Aboriginal Strategy implemented while I was Justice Minister.” Q19: Aboriginal people in Canada – especially those living in the North – face serious problems of food insecurity due to climate change and the of the high cost of food. Would you support development of a culturally sensitive food security program for Aboriginal people of Canada? Climate change is a serious concern for all Canadians, but none more than those living in Canada’s northern areas. That is why I have called for a number of important initiatives by the federal government to protect the environment and ensure sustainable economic development in the Arctic region. We need to protect the delicate balance of wildlife and habitat which provide a crucial source of food security for aboriginal Canadians when considering any new proposals for resource development. (See my announcement in Winnipeg, January 13th).” Q20: The Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada has expressed concern that the funding provided will not be sufficient for the completion of its mandate. Would you support an increase in funding for and an expansion of the TRC mandate to include day schools? No. January 30 decision of the Ontario Superior Court has made it clear that the federal government must provide all documents relevant to the TRC’s mandate, and to assume responsibility for the provision of these documents. I welcome this decision. At the same time, the mandate of the TRC is already very broad, and should remain limited to that of residential schools.” Q21: Are you committed to having at least 10 Aboriginal candidates in the next federal election? Liberal riding associations choose their candidates themselves. We can encourage and seek out these candidates but the final decision remains with the members in their ridings.” Note 1: Additional posts from the leadership candidates will be posted upon receipt; Note 2: This post does not constitute an endorsement of the candidate by the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission.