PM’s Indigenous rights push can’t deepen rifts

After the acquittal of a Saskatchewan farmer in the death of Indigenous Canadian Colten Boushie, many expected the prime minister to announce changes to the jury system. Instead, Justin Trudeau pledged quick, sweeping legislative reforms across a broad array of policies governing Indigenous communities.

Good, in principle. Canadians want to improve the lives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. But the Boushie case, about which the prime minister has shown so much public concern, also is a warning that he must be cautious and precise, not carelessly exuberant.

The case exposes deep rifts between farmers and Indigenous people within a single community. The reasons for these hostilities are complex, but the story is repeated in many parts of Canada. Ignoring the reality of such profound ruptures, no matter who has the moral high ground, could easily undermine well-intentioned new laws.

The prime minister must lay the groundwork for his legislation carefully, not only with Indigenous Canadians — understandably disillusioned by a history of broken promises — but also with other citizens, many of whom know little about the culture and traditions guiding first peoples.

Take self-government, for example. Ask 10 Canadians what this means and it’s likely seven will respond: “Huh?” Among the remainder, there will be three different answers. Or, ask Canadians to explain the “duty to consult and accommodate.” Indigenous leaders, government experts and courts wrestle with these concepts all the time; yet chances are most Canadians would be surprised at their emerging meanings.

The prime minister wants to clarify such key principles, but he may face real backlash if there has been no appropriate public education or encouragement of unfettered, open debate first. Declaring something the right thing to do isn’t the end of public input; it’s the beginning.

Even the most competent government would have trouble getting this agenda right. Regretfully, Team Trudeau has not been that beacon of accomplishment. Its inquiry into Murdered and Missing Women and Girls is foundering. Only after repeated compliance orders from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal did it begin closing the funding gap for on-reserve child welfare services.

Trudeau, rightly, wants to end the dysfunction in Canada’s core relationship, but he must carry the whole country with him, step by step, respecting concerns and encouraging debate lest he deepen fissures between communities instead of healing them.

— Postmedia Network