Aboriginal Issues Raised During NDP Policy Talks

Aboriginal Issues Raised During NDP Policy Talks

Monday, March 29, 2010 at 16:01

 

 

A number of delegates at the provincial NDP convention in Prince Albert raised questions about Aboriginal policy during a bear-pit session on Saturday.

 

Ray Johnson is an educator with roots in Manitoba.

 

He says not enough Canadians or fellow party members are aware of the challenges facing First Nations.

 

According to Johnson, tops among them are the funding caps on education and health set in 1994.

 

Johnson labelled the move the biggest scandal of all time.

 

There was also a call for more Aboriginal candidates within the NDP.

 

At least two different members from the floor asked MLAs what could be done to increase the number of First Nations and Metis citizens seeking nominations.

 

Barb Deedigh wanted to know what can be done to snag candidates in time for the next provincial election.

 

Party leader Dwain Lingenfelter says those efforts are already underway, but encourages party members to raise the word in their communities, as well.

 

He says the only reason he decided to enter politics was because someone asked him to run.

 

Meanwhile, the uranium industry was in the crosshairs of some NDP members during the party’s annual convention.

 

One resolution called for the next NDP government to immediately introduce legislation prohibiting the construction of any new mills or mines without a full public review of the entire industry.

 

Still another one said: “Be it resolved that the NDP will work to phase out all aspects of uranium mining and not pursue nuclear energy projects in the province”.

 

Both resolutions were put forward by NDP members in Swift Current.

 

Lingenfelter downplayed the significance of the ideas, saying these types of suggestions are common during annual conventions.

 

He also noted that the NDP government was in power when many uranium mines opened, and the previous government never attempted to shut the industry down.

 

In the end, neither of the resolutions passed — although one was passed on in council and will have to be debated in council.