Green Party Promises a Council of Canadian Governments

(PRINCE ALBERT, SK – October 10, 2019) As the federal election draws closer, federal political parties have released a deluge of party positions. The Green Party has promised to establish a Council of Canadian Governments to be a forum for high-level discussions by all orders of government, including Indigenous governments. In a federal system, where lawmaking is shared, this new forum would represent a new institution where collaboration could take place and everyone’s voices are heard.

In response to questions from the Coalition of Indigenous Peoples of Saskatchewan (CIPS), the Green Party of Canada has outlined their positions on six critical issues, including ending the distinctions-based approach of the federal Liberals. The Greens have recognized the need to broaden the discussions around Indigenous affairs and to end the narrow distinctions-based approach used by the Liberal government. The “distinctions-based” approach of the federal Liberals required that specific First Nation, Métis or Inuit responses were required for each policy area. This methodology was deeply flawed, because it meant that only three national Indigenous organizations were meaningfully involved: Assembly of First Nations, Metis National Council and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. The simple fact is that these three organizations do not represent or serve all Indigenous peoples in Canada.

“We’ve learned to be skeptical of new election promises that will attempt to solve complex questions facing Indigenous peoples, but we are pleased that the Green Party would end the distinctions-based approach and establish a new forum for high-level discussions,” said CIPS President, John Hanikenne.

The mandate of CIPS is to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, educational, cultural, health, well-being and rights of status and non-status Indians living off reserve and Métis living in Saskatchewan. Our mission is to build a strong and effective representative organization based on the governance principles of legitimacy and voice; strategic vision; responsiveness; fairness; accountability; and transparency.

For more information contact:

John Hanikenne, President

Coalition of Indigenous Peoples of Saskatchewan

Tel: 306-922-0090

Email: [email protected]

Download the original letter PDF

NT5

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