October 23, 1995 For Immediate Release
REFORM ABORIGINAL POLICY WILL GIVE INDIAN PEOPLE REAL CHOICES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE
"Indians have property rights too - the band doesn't have the right to control everything."
Ottawa - Today, Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, outspoken advocate for the rights and responsibilities of all Canadian citizens, including aboriginal people, made available Reform's Aboriginal Task Force Report. The report was prepared under the direction of task force chairman, Bob Head of Saskatoon, retired Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP. The task force travelled the country listening to the concerns of both aboriginals and non-aboriginals at the grassroots level. "The results of our Aboriginal Task Force differ dramatically from the government's approach of setting up separate little tribal enclaves on the basis of race. The Liberal's race-based policy will only lead to a South African type of apartheid in Canada," predicted Breitkreuz.
The Reform recommendations focus on fundamentally changing relationships between aboriginals and governments - giving Indian people real choices about how they want their money to be spent and their lands to be owned and managed. Less dependency on government and more democratic control by aboriginals over band councils and tribal councils would be the end result if the Reform plan was implemented. "A Reform government would give Indian people more responsibility for their own well-being, the tools to discharge that responsibility, and more accountability for the results," said Breitkreuz.
Specific measures recommended by the Task Force and endorsed by the Reform Caucus and Executive Council include:
1.Indian treaties will be fully honoured according to their original intent and in keeping with Court interpretation.
2.Indian and Inuit affairs will continue to be administered by the federal government, the Metis and non-status Indian affairs will remain the jurisdiction of the provinces.
3.Indian self-government will be a delegated form of government and not a recognition of inherent Aboriginal sovereignty:
- all lands within the borders of Canada will remain part of Canada;
- any form of self-government must uphold the principles of democracy and accountability
(i.e. freedom to organize politically, free and open election processes, opposition parties);
- the laws of Canada (and the Provinces and Territories), including the Canadian Constitution and the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, will apply; and
- any laws enacted by Indian self-government must conform to the laws of Canada.
4.Land claim agreements and self-government agreements will be negotiated under the principle of equality for and among all persons:
- settlement of land claims will be negotiated publicly;
- All settlements will outline specific terms, be final, and conclude within a specific time frame; and
- final settlements will be affordable to Canada and the Provinces.
5.Individuals residing on settlement lands will have the freedom to opt for private ownership of their entitlements.
6.Property owners forced to defend their property rights as a result of Aboriginal land claims will be compensated for the defence of the claim.
7.Individuals may decide if they wish to contribute financially to Indian political organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations. This will replace direct federal funding of these organizations.
8.Individuals who live on reserves and who are eligible to receive benefits such as social assistance may receive those benefits either from the federal government or through Indian self-government.
9.The Auditor General of Canada will have full authority to review the Indian management of federal funds. Complaints directed to Indian government about management of federal funds may be appealed to the Auditor General of Canada, who may recommend civil or criminal proceedings.
10.The Chief Electoral Officer of Elections Canada will have the same authority to examine Indian election procedures as he/she would have in any other federal jurisdiction. Complaints directed to Indian government about election procedures may be appealed to the Chief Electoral Officer, who may recommend civil or criminal proceedings.
11.As the economic climate within Indian-governed communities improves and money is transferred from senior governments to individuals, Indian governments will fund their operations by taxing the members of these communities.
12.Since equality of all citizens is the ultimate goal, Indian persons and corporations will be subject to the same taxation provisions as other Canadians. As Indian economic conditions improve, the taxation exemption under Section 87 of the Indian Act will be eliminated.
13.The Indian Act of Canada will be repealed and replaced by legislation respecting the above principles.
14.a new relationship with Aboriginal peoples shall begin with a convention of Indian representatives from across Canada (elected by Aboriginal people) who will meet with senior government leaders to discuss how to apply these principles.
"I want to know what all constituents in the Yorkton-Melville constituency think about this interim policy. If you have any comments, ideas or concerns please call or write me," requested Breitkreuz.
For a copy of the our Task Force Report please call:
AS STATED IN PRESTON'S NEWS RELEASE
1.The development of democratic, accountable and responsive local governments on reserves, should be supported, subject to the laws of Canada, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
2.Aboriginal people on reserves should have access to the services of Elections Canada to ensure that democracy is respected in band council elections, and access to the services of the Auditor General to ensure financial accountability of local governments.
3.Land settlement processes should not only be fair, affordable and final, they should be publicly negotiated and open to all affected interests.
4.Individual aboriginals should be able to opt for private ownership of a share of any land entitlement, and property rights on reserves should be expanded and respected.
5.Aboriginals living on reserves should be able to receive federal financial transfers directly, as other Canadians do, rather than indirectly via band councils.
6.Direct federal funding of aboriginal political associations should end, allowing aboriginals to decide which organizations to support financially or otherwise.
7.Special taxation exemptions for aboriginals, provided for under the Indian Act, should be rescinded, and aboriginal aboriginals and companies should be subject to the same taxation laws as all Canadians.
8.Existing treaties should be honoured in accordance with court interpretation, and laws enacted by aboriginal governments should conform to the laws of Canada.
9.Canadian law, including the Criminal Code, should be enforced uniformly across the country, regardless of race, language, culture of victims or perpetrators of crime.
10.Regional conventions of aboriginal representatives - elected by aboriginal people - should be held to discuss the particular application of the principles of self-government.