Northern Saskatchewan Conservative MP Rob Clarke says he hopes a private member’s bill he has drafted helps promote new debate over the Indian Act.
This week it came to light Clarke had introduced a motion back on December 7th entitled “Repeal the Indian Act”.
He says the earliest it will be introduced is April, but already he is fending off allegations that he didn’t consult First Nations leaders about the move.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says it is disheartened and concerns with this week’s revelation.
Acting FSIN chief Morley Watson notes Prime Minister Stephen Harper told chiefs last week his government had no grand scheme to repeal or unilaterally re-write the Indian Act.
Watson says he hasn’t talked to Clarke about the issue and he is not aware of Clarke talking to the federation’s office about it.
Clarke says he consulted First Nations leaders about the Indian Act during the last election campaign.
He adds First Nations leaders will have a chance to offer more thoughts on the bill when it reaches the committee stage.