Ignatieff Willing To Replace Indian Act

Ignatieff Willing To Replace Indian Act

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 14:17

 

 

A man many Liberals are calling the next Prime Minister of Canada isn’t a big fan of the Indian Act.

 

Michael Ignatieff addressed delegates at the Prince Albert Grand Council assembly yesterday.

 

He says the current act has created a cycle of dependency that needs to be broken with a new framework agreement.

 

He also pledges that, if he gets into power, the new agreement would be voluntary — but would eventually replace the Indian Act.

 

Ignatieff insists the new framework agreement would guarantee a more stable base of funding for First Nations, especially in areas like housing and education.

 

Meanwhile, Ignatieff says he doesn’t think much of the current Prime Minister’s treatment of the situation in Caledonia.

 

Ignatieff says he can’t understand Stephen Harper’s hands-off approach to the dispute, which has seen violent clashes between band members and town residents.

 

Ignatieff believes any dispute that involves First Nations automatically involves the federal government.