A northern Saskatchewan MP says proposed boundary changes would put too many First Nations people in his constituency.
Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River Conservative MP Rob Clarke says in a letter to a parliamentary committee the proposed boundary changes would increase the already large percentage of First Nations in the constituency and decrease the influence of communities of “interest.”
University of Saskatchewan political studies professor Dave McGrane says Clarke’s suggestion that the largely Aboriginal communities of Red Earth, Shoal Lake and Cumberland House be dropped from his riding and added to Yorkton-Melville is ludicrous.
“It makes no sense to put Cumberland House in the same riding as Yorkton,” he says. “Yorkton is a more southern city that is based on agriculture, it is southern and less remote. Cumberland House or Red Earth are Aboriginal communities that are based on a northern economy.”
McGrane says he believes Clarke’s opposition to the boundary changes is based on personal or partisan reasons.
The Chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band also says she opposes the Conservative MP’s suggested changes for the riding.
Tammy Cook-Searson says northern residents have common interests and it makes no sense to include three First Nations communities in a southern rural riding.
Cook-Searson adds other First Nations leaders are also opposed to the position taken by Clarke.
“Chief Lorne Stewart from Cumberland House, Chief Ian McKay from Red Earth and Chief Marcel Head from Shoal Lake – there will be probably more reaction for sure and I am going to be drafting a letter right now and sending it to the standing committee on procedure and house affairs regarding Rob Clarke’s objection letter.”
She says she believes having a large number of First Nations people in the constituency is a positive factor.
Clarke did not return a phone call requesting an interview.