New aboriginal affairs minister sworn in
Bernard Valcourt takes over after John Duncan resigns
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 Rideau Hall Friday.
Valcourt’s appointment comes just one week after John Duncan’s resignation from 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 Peoples.
“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.”
Valcourt assumes the post only weeks after grassroots indigenous Idle No More protests swept the nation and Harper met with some First Nations chiefs in Ottawa.
His appointment to the politically sensitive aboriginal affairs post signals that Harper trusts his ability to manage a complex file.
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.
“I look forward to meeting with the minister as soon as possible to discuss immediate next steps in facilitating this dialogue,” Atleo said.
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 P.E.I. Augustine first dealt with Valcourt in the 1980s.
“He’s very persistent and certainly has the respect and the ear of the prime minister,” Augustine said. “It’s a good appointment. We’re anxious to get to work, and get things done.”
AFN B.C. Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould said she hopes Valcourt’s experience will “bring forward that champion that we need.”
“I’m hopeful that he is willing to sit down and work in partnership to tackle these major public policy issues that we have right now, and to work on supporting First Nations-driven solutions,” she said.
Valcourt’s experience in Ottawa dates back to the 1980s. He was consumer and corporate affairs minister in Brian Mulroney’s government, but resigned in 1989 over a drunkdriving incident in which he crashed his motorcycle into a fence.
Valcourt was later re-appointed by Mulroney to cabinet — as fisheries minister, then minister of employment and immigration.
He lost his New Brunswick seat in 1993, but returned to Ottawa in the 2011 election.
Pam Palmater, the Mi’kmaq lawyer and Ryerson University professor who is a de facto spokesperson for the Idle No More movement, said she doesn’t think the appointment is a good sign for CrownFirst Nations relations.
Palmater, who is from New Brunswick, called Valcourt’s statement praising the government’s record “irresponsible” and said it indicates he will likely “continue on with the status quo, ignore the reality, ignore Idle No More … and just forge ahead with Harper’s agenda.”
Opposition MPs reacted guardedly to the news.
“The relationships have never been more strained. It’s going to be very important that the new minister be able to begin to rebuild the trust and truly consult and make progress,” said Liberal aboriginal affairs critic Carolyn Bennett.
“He needs to really begin to develop relationships with the aboriginal leadership.”
NDP aboriginal affairs critic Jean Crowder said she was disappointed the aboriginal affairs portfolio wasn’t handed to a more senior government minister.