APC rebuilding targets becoming reality

May 10, 2012

For Immediate Release

May 10, 2012

OTTAWA – On Sunday May 6, the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission in Ontario held it’s Annual General Meeting in conjunction with the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) and elected 4 individuals to positions on the provincial executive including Jaime Koebel as President, Doug Pawas as Northern representative, Ted Martin as South-Western representative, and Steven Vanloffeld as the Toronto representative.

“It’s very exciting” exclaims Chad Cowie, National Co-Chair of the APC. “We’ve re-established the APC in Ontario with a fantastic new team. People are taking notice of what we’re doing and we’re only 3 months into our mandate!”

Steven Vanloffeld, the new Toronto area representative says while there’s still work to be done, he’s looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“We need to find passionate, motivated and inspiring Aboriginal people to fill vacant roles. We need a strong and focused executive to accomplish the work that lies ahead- increasing awareness about the APC, and demonstrating how we can be the voice for change for our communities” explains Vanloffeld.

“We have to meet the ever-changing needs of our membership; we have to come up with new and innovative ways of communicating with each other; we have to engage everyone in free and open dialogue. It’s the only way we can ensure the continued success of the Liberal party” adds Ted Martin, the APC’s new South-Western Ontario representative. “Regardless of whether you’re rural or urban, on-reserve or off-reserve, Métis, Inuit, or First Nation, we have to work together for the betterment of our people and our communities.”

And for the APC, rebuilding is #1 on the agenda says Darren Harper, the Vice-President (Membership & Organization).

“We’re focused on moving forward” he explains. “We’re reaching out to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians on an on-going basis and we’re responding to the issues that they’re dealing with – it’s also very important to note that the APC’s increase in membership is reflective of our direction.”

The APC recently tweeted a 27% increase in APC membership since the Liberal party’s Biennial Convention in January.

The APC is currently working on re-establishing Commissions in Manitoba, Quebec, and in Alberta and is looking for interested people to join in the process. If you would like additional information, please see the rebuilding section on the APC website.

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For more information on the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission, contact:

Kevin Seesequasis
Vice-President (Communications)
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