The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Perry Bellegarde, sees the federal election as a chance to help close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations people and the rest of Canada.
“If people can’t get their heads around treaty rights, or Aboriginal rights or inherent rights, just get your head around the business case,” he says.
Bellegarde says closing the gap could increase Canada’s gross domestic product by about $400 billion over the next 10 or 12 years and at the same time save $115 billion currently being spent on social programs related to poverty.
“That is why I keep going to people, to government to different NGOs, to Canadians in general, that gap is not good for Canada and that gap is not good for our people,” he says. “That gap represents a cap on potential when you have a cap on schools and post-secondary education funding and tuition on reserves. That gap represents the overcrowded housing and the black mold. That gap represents the disproportionate number of First Nations people incarcerated. That gap represents high youth suicide rates. That gap represents the violence and the missing and murdered Aboriginal girls.”
In the last federal election in 2011, the Aboriginal voter turnout was less than 50 per cent. Bellegarde wants to see that increase, but he is remaining politically neutral, saying he can work with whoever forms government.
“I have met with all of them and I will work with whoever gets elected October 19,” he says. “It’s just important for our people to get out to make their voices heard and make their votes matter, because it can make the difference between a minority and a majority government.”
Political analysts have identified about 50 ridings where the Aboriginal vote could determine the results of the federal election.
Bellegarde is encouraging all voters to support leaders and candidates who commit to a brighter future, one that he says, “includes First Nations as true partners in Canada”.