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We believe that rebuilding trust and forging new relationships based on mutual respect should be a centrepiece of a governing agenda for any political party vying for votes on Oct. 19.

In June of this year, the Centre for the Study of Living Standards estimated that closing the aboriginal-education gap would add $261 billion to the country’s GDP over 20 years. In 2031 alone, that could mean a GDP greater by $28.3 billion (in 2010 dollars). Reconciliation with indigenous peoples is not merely a social justice issue, but an economic one. We ignore this at our own peril.

As the three commissioners for the TRC observed in their 10 principles for reconciliation:

“Reconciliation requires constructive action on addressing the ongoing legacies of colonialism that have had destructive impacts on Aboriginal peoples’ education, cultures and languages, health, child welfare, the administration of justice and economic opportunities and prosperity.”

One benefit of having four weeks left in this long election campaign is that there is still time for voters to ask the parties, leaders and their local candidates where they stand on First Nations, Métis and Inuit issues.

We also call upon the organizers of future debates to dedicate sections of their programming to meaningful conversation about what the parties are prepared to do to act on the recommendations of the TRC.