Harper Government breaks Throne Speech commitment on Indigenous Rights June 2, 2010 Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Email The Harper government’s submission to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in a case involving First Nations child welfare reveals that the Conservatives are already backtracking on their 2010 Throne Speech promise to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Liberal Aboriginal Affairs Critic Todd Russell said today. “The Attorney General admitted this week that the government remains opposed to the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – breaking their commitment from only a few months ago,” said Mr. Russell. “It is shameful and disappointing that the government would mislead Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples on such an important matter.” In the Speech from the Throne, the Harper government said it would “take steps to endorse this aspirational document in a manner fully consistent with Canada’s Constitution and laws.” But as part of a motion this week to dismiss a full and public hearing into the issue of discrimination against the First Nations child welfare system at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the Harper government explains that the UN Declaration should bear no weight whatsoever. The government’s submission states, “Canada’s position on the Declaration has not changed. Consequently, the Declaration should be given no weight as an interpretive source in domestic law.” “It is even more shameful that the Attorney General is fighting efforts to build a brighter and more equitable future for First Nations children in care,” said Mr. Russell. “First Nations youth are amongst the most vulnerable in our Canadian society, which is why they have a central place in the Liberal Party’s learning agenda. The government should be working to help them succeed, not hold them back.” First Nations children fall into foster care at a rate of 6-8 times more than other Canadian children. The complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, filed by the Assembly of First Nations and First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, argues that First Nations children in federally funded child welfare agencies cannot access the same level of supports as other children in provincial agencies due to inequities in funding, a fact that has been confirmed by the Auditor General of Canada and Standing Committee on Public Accounts. “As part of our learning agenda, the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to providing greater learning opportunities to our First Nations youth,” concluded Mr. Russell. “Liberals also remain committed to endorsing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”