MPs Debating Kelowna Deal

MPs Debating Kelowna Deal

Monday, June 19, 2006 at 15:11

 

 

The Kelowna Accord is dominating proceedings in the House of Commons today.

 

The Liberals are using Opposition Day in the House to take the Conservatives to task for not implementing the $5.1-billion plan to improve the lives of Native people.

 

Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Gary Merasty says the Liberals are confident the opposition parties will outvote the Tories and back a private member’s motion to implement the accord.

 

Merasty says while a motion doesn’t have as much clout as a bill, it will still put considerable pressure on the Tories.

 

Political observers say the Conservatives may be wanting to put more emphasis on helping off-reserve Aboriginal people, and that the Tories view the Kelowna Accord as something mainly for the on-reserve population.

 

Today’s debate is expected to last most of the day.

 

Several Native leaders from across the country are in attendance for today’s debate.

 

A vote on the motion is scheduled to take place tomorrow.