Vellacott Hoping To Lead Native Affairs Committee

Vellacott Hoping To Lead Native Affairs Committee

Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at 14:29

 

 

A Member of Parliament who once defended the police officers convicted of abandoning an Aboriginal man in freezing weather says the prime minister wants him to lead the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

 

In a news release, Sasktoon-Wanuskewin MP Maurice Vellacott says he has accepted the Prime Minister’s nomination for the position.

 

An election for committee chair is expected to take place early next week.

 

Vellacott made headlines a couple of years ago when he publicly questioned why Dan Hatchen and Ken Munson were ultimately convicted of unlawful confinement for dropping off Darrel Night on Saskatoon’s outskirts in freezing weather.

 

Vellacott argued Night was dropped off in the vicinity of a relative, and that the convictions should be overturned.

 

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Alphonse Bird feels that sort of past makes Vellacott unsuitable for this position.

 

Bird says Vellacott has not established any relationships with First Nations.

 

Bird also admits wondering if First Nations are being punished for their role in the hotly-contested election defeat of former Conservative MP Jeremy Harrison in Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River — especially considering the Tories’ perceived lack of action on Aboriginal issues since the election.

 

During his time in office, Harrison was a vice-chair on the committee.