Ignatieff Makes Stop In Ile-a-la-Crosse
Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 14:37
Northern Saskatchewan got a visit from federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff today.
Ignatieff arrived in Ile-a-la Crosse this morning for a meeting with area leaders and tours of the hospital and school.
Later in the afternoon, Ignatieff was in Prince Albert, where he met with the Prince Albert Grand Council.
Ignatieff says his government would focus on improving funding for education, health and housing for Aboriginal people — but would not necessarily resurrect the Kelowna Accord that was signed when Paul Martin was prime minister.
Ignatieff says he remains committed to the process that made the Kelowna Accord possible, but he says his main focus would be education.
He says as funds become available, he would turn to health and housing.
Ignatieff also says if the Liberals were elected, they would restore funding to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the First Nations University of Canada.
Meanwhile, Ignatieff is unconcerned that the NDP have a high profile candidate in the Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River riding in former Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations chief Lawrence Joseph.
He says if people don’t want another Conservative government, the only option is to vote Liberal.
Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River Liberal candidate Gabe Lafond says the goal of today’s visit was to make Ignatieff familiar with the concerns of northerners.
Lafond also says this is the first time a leader of Ignatieff’s stature has visited Ile-a-la Crosse since John Turner was Liberal leader.
He says it was a great opportunity for northerners to get their concerns heard by a major federal politician.