Match promises with deeds

Last year, in his first speech before the United Nations General Assembly, Justin Trudeau assured the international community that Canada was back, that after a decade of disengagement the federal government would resume its full role in global affairs.

Trudeau’s second speech, delivered on Thursday, was a welcome recognition that it is not enough for Canada merely to return to some past form. In an unusual move, the prime minister spoke not of peacekeeping or welcoming refugees or other international issues, but of a domestic matter that has long undermined Canada’s efforts to project itself as a progressive leader and honest broker on the world stage: namely, the “humiliation, neglect and abuse” suffered by Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Canada was slow to join the rest of the world in recognizing Indigenous rights. Until last year, we were the only country not to have signed on to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In fact, the Harper government actively campaigned against the declaration, dismissing its norms and principles as unrealistic.

In his UN speech, Trudeau tacitly rebuked his predecessor. He described Canada’s longstanding opposition to the declaration as “disappointing” and touted his government’s commitment to the document. “As we seek reconciliation,” he said, “the declaration will be our guide.”

There’s no question that, on Indigenous issues, this government already represents a significant improvement over the previous regime. It has raised the priority of the challenge, committed significant resources in its budgets and launched an important process to work with Indigenous peoples on giving meaning to a new nation-to-nation relationship. Nevertheless, if, as Trudeau says, UNDRIP is to be our guide toward Indigenous justice, these early commitments fall well short of what’s needed. For one thing, we need greater clarity on how and to what extent the government intends to harmonize Canadian law with the declaration’s tenets. Early signals have not been encouraging.

Moreover, the government has not done enough to improve the welfare and life chances of Indigenous people and close the gap between them and other Canadians. As it stands, in practice, Ottawa continues to violate vital principles of the declaration.

To take just one, particularly egregious example: Nearly two years ago, the Human Rights Tribunal ruled that Ottawa must address longstanding systematic discrimination against Indigenous children on reserves, particularly in the provision of health services. About 60 per cent of kids on reserve live in poverty, over three times the rate of the general population, yet the tribunal found they have consistently less access to needed services than other Canadians.

At the time, the Trudeau government welcomed the legally binding ruling and vowed to comply, but again and again it has failed to act. Three times since the initial decision the tribunal has issued compliance orders. Over that period, a youth suicide epidemic emerged and grew on northern reserves. When the tribunal ruled that the government had contributed to this, Ottawa took the body to court. Is this what was meant by a new relationship?

Early in a mandate, by necessity, leaders are judged at home and abroad on style and promises. By these measures, Trudeau has done well. But also, inevitably, judgments are ultimately shaped by the extent to which promises are delivered and results achieved. With this speech, Trudeau has rightfully recognized a vulnerability in our international image and a shameful injustice at home. His words are important. He’ll be measured by his deeds.