New aboriginal affairs minister a ‘straight talker’
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s newly minted aboriginal affairs minister enters the job at a crucial time in the government’s relationship with indigenous peoples, facing substantial scrutiny and pressure to deal with the issues facing Canada’s aboriginal population.
Bernard Valcourt, a New Brunswick Conservative, was sworn in to the aboriginal affairs ministry at a private ceremony at the Governor General’s residence in Ottawa.
Valcourt’s appointment comes just one week after John Duncan’s resignation f rom the post because of an inappropriate “character reference” letter he sent on behalf of a constituent to a tax court judge in 2011.
In his initial statement as minister, Valcourt said the government has already made “significant progress” in “improving outcomes” for Canada’s Aboriginal People.
“We have built new schools, invested in clean drinking water systems, built thousands of new homes, increased funding for services for the most vulnerable members of First Nations communities, and invested in hun- dreds of projects to link aboriginals with job training services.”
“This January, the government committed itself to a high-level dialogue on the treaty relationship and comprehensive claims,” Valcourt said.
“I am firmly of the view that working together is the best way to achieve our shared objective of healthier, more prosperous and self-sufficient aboriginal communities,” he added.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo said in a statement he hopes Valcourt “will work with the First Nation leadership directly to advance priority areas to achieve transformative change for our peoples.”
The AFN regional chief for Valcourt’s home province said Friday morning he was “pleasantly surprised” at the appointment, calling the new minister “approachable and down-to-Earth.”
“He’s a straight-talking guy (who) tells you right from the start where you stand with him, and how he can help you or cannot help you,” said Roger Augustine, AFN regional chief for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.