Climate change ‘No. 1 issue,’ says AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde,
Bellegarde urges parties to include First Nations in policy planning
OTTAWA— The Assembly of First Nations has declared “climate destruction” the most pressing concern in this fall’s federal election, as the organization urges Indigenous peoples to use their influence at the ballot box to push all parties to continue progress it has seen under the current Liberal government.
Releasing the AFN’s election wish-list on Monday, National Chief Perry Bellegarde said the goal is to convince whomever forms the next federal government to build upon the “unprecedented” spending and access-to-power for First Nations that has occurred since the Liberals took power under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
That starts with ensuring Ottawa is engaged with what he called the “world crisis” of climate change that requires a quicker transition “off our dependence on fossil fuels.” The next government should make First Nations full partners in developing Canada’s climate change plan — including on how the billions of dollars in revenue from the federal carbon price are used — and ensure resource projects on Indigenous territory can’t proceed without permission, Bellegarde said.
“Climate change, climate destruction, is the No. 1 issue facing all of us,” Bellegarde told reporters at the National Press Theatre near Parliament Hill.
“We must promise to build a new economy, an economy for the future of our planet,” he said.
“We have to promise to care for the lands that feed us, and renew our original promise to one another to mutually share and benefit from the lands and resources.”
The current Liberal government has been an outward champion of reconciliation between Canada’s Indigenous peoples and the Canadian state, even as critics have questioned whether it is following through on its lofty rhetoric of change and healing after centuries of colonial harm. Bellegarde has welcomed spending increases seen under the Liberals, with annual funding for Indigenous services jumping from $11 billion in 2015-16 to more than $17 billion slated for 2021-22.
This spending has come as Indigenous leaders have had direct access to Trudeau and his ministers, Bellegarde said Monday, noting that the prime minister and others have visiting AFN assemblies to speak and answer questions numerous times, while previous governments didn’t attend such meetings at all.
Bellegarde also pointed to legislation passed by the Liberals to protect Indigenous languages, and allow First Nations and other Indigenous governments to assume control of their own child welfare services.
But he said that, despite these steps, shortfalls remain in access to adequate health, safe drinking water and more for First Nations in Canada. “There’s more work to do,” he said. “Progress doesn’t mean parity.”
With the federal election set for Oct. 21, Bellegarde called on all federal parties to agree to a range of promises. The AFN wants high speed internet access for all First Nations within two years, as well as the creation of a First Nations infrastructure bank to fund new projects. It wants to see unspecified but “substantial” funding for all-season roads to remote First Nations, as well as “major investments” in low-carbon technology and renewable energy.
The organization says the next government should “substantially increase investment” in First Nations health care, create a new strategy to curb substance abuse, make the needed money for housing available, spend more on post-secondary education for First Nations youth, and make sure there are Indigenous language immersion programs for elementary and secondary students.
Ottawa must also negotiate revenue sharing agreements with First Nations, provinces and territories, the AFN says, pass legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and expand First Nations land by adding to reserves and recognizing title.
Bellegarde said he wants all parties to also commit to appointing more Indigenous judges at all levels, fund First Nations police as an essential service, and recognize First Nations laws as equal to common law and civil law in the Canadian legal system. Later Monday, the New Democratic Party committed to fulfilling all of the AFN’s priorities if it takes power in the next Parliament.
Bellegarde was careful not to endorse or denounce any specific party.