Statement: No Grand Scheme Eh? December 5, 2012 Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Email For Immediate Release December 4, 2012 OTTAWA -The Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission of the Liberal Party of Canada released the following statement after the extraordinary events today led by the Assembly of First Nations and grassroots Indigenous people in opposition to the Conservative Government’s omnibus budget bill C-45: In January 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated that his government had “no grand scheme to repeal or unilaterally rewrite the Indian Act“. Nearly a year later we see that his actions speak louder than his words. Today, the Conservative government will vote on the massive omnibus bill C-45 in the House of Commons- a bill that contains measures to unilaterally impose legislation on all First Nations, Inuit and Metis people across Canada. The Aboriginal People’ Commission vehemently opposes the Conservative government’s attempts to ram through legislation in the House of Commons with little-to-no consultation with the Indigenous populations that will be affected by these changes. We vehemently oppose the Conservative government for imposing changes to the Indian Act through back-door means; we vehemently oppose the Conservative government for the drastic cuts to silence opposition and Aboriginal political organizations throughout the country; and we vehemently oppose the Conservative government’s efforts to make Aboriginal communities surrender reserve lands for profit– which flies in the face of Indigenous values. Today, as the Assembly of First Nations and Treaty Chiefs march on Parliament Hill, the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission stands united with Indigenous Nations and Aboriginal people of Canada in denouncing these paternalistic changes; we stand united in demanding fairness, equality, and justice. The Liberal Party of Canada remains steadfast in its approach to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in defending the Duty to Consult provision as enshrined in the Constitution of Canada. We will continue developing meaningful partnerships built on mutual respect and understanding, and we will continue making positive change for our communities and with our people. – 30 – For more information on the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission, please contact: Kevin Seesequasis Vice-President (Communications) Contact Us