The NDP says it will hold the Liberal government’s feet to the fire on the long list of promises and commitments it has made to Canada’s First Nations people.
Party leader Thomas Mulcair made the pledge on Thursday during an address to a special chiefs conference being held in Gatineau, Quebec.
Mulcair said he expects to see real change, and he wants to see it real fast. He is already seeing some of that with the election of 10 Indigenous members of parliament, with two of them appointed to the federal cabinet.
He welcomes the five-point plan for Indigenous people outlined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but he says those words have to be turned into action.
“The NDP will be there to measure Canada’s progress, push the Liberals when it’s needed, support them when they’re doing the right thing, and hold their feet to the fire when necessary,” he said.
One of the first items on the agenda is First Nations education. Mulcair says he expects to see the money.
“There’s a Liberal commitment to $2.6 billion for education in their first mandate. We will me make sure they deliver,” he said.
Assembly of First Nations chief, Perry Bellegarde, welcomed the NDP leader’s comments. Bellegarde says it is important that First Nations leaders become part of the decision-making process.
“We need more and more First Nations people around decision-making tables, at all levels. We need more and more of that. We need First Nations people in the Liberal Party, the NDP Party, the Conservative Party, the Green Party, wherever decisions are made. And we see that happening,” he said.
The special three-day chief’s conference wraps up Thursday afternoon with closing remarks from Bellegarde as well as an address by Carolyn Bennett, the new minister of Indigenous affairs.