Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission seeking feedback on leadership questionnaire

January 9, 2013

For Immediate Release

January 9, 2013

OTTAWA – From the Kelowna Accord to Missing & Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls; from the 1969 White Paper to Aboriginal title and inherent Treaty rights; from healthy communities and prosperous economies to increased Indigenous representation; we’re posing these questions – and so much more – to each of the Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidates in our Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission Leadership Questionnaire. But before we officially release the final version to the candidates, we want your feedback!

View the questionnaire and submit your suggestions.

“The questionnaire put forward by the APC is an opportunity for leadership candidates to articulate their policy positions on the key human rights issues facing Canada today” explains Glenn Wheeler, APC National Vice-President (Policy). “We need to engage the candidates, and all Canadians, in a conversation about the issues facing the most disadvantaged, fastest-growing demographic in Canada, and the Liberal Party of Canada leadership race is a perfect opportunity to bring these issues to the fore.”

That conversation is key says Wheeler pointing to the #IdleNoMore movement that has swept the country –

“Indigenous people across Canada are becoming increasingly frustrated by the unwillingness of the federal Conservative government to engage in a meaningful, respectful dialogue, and the Liberal Party – due to initiatives such as the Kelowna Accord, the Party’s stance on the UNDRIP, and other progressive policies – is well suited to engage in the type of Nation-to-Nation dialogue that Indigenous people want.”

The first debate of the leadership race will take place on January 20^th in Vancouver, followed by debates in Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, and Ottawa.

“It’s an exciting time for the APC. The new leader of the party will be chosen on April 14^th, and will be called upon to respond to the issues identified in the questionnaire and so much more” concludes Wheeler. “We want to continue making positive change for Indigenous people and our communities, and we want to engage Indigenous people and Canadians every step of the way!”

The Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission, created in 1990, represents and promotes the interests of Aboriginal members of the Liberal Party and encourages the active and equitable participation of Aboriginal people at all levels of the Party structure.

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

Kevin Seesequasis
Vice-President (Communications)
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