Leadership candidate says consultation is needed, but the Indian Act keeps people in poverty
Conservative party leadership candidate Maxime Bernier is the latest to say the Indian Act "should be abolished."
At a stop in Whitehorse on Sunday, Bernier said he believes the current act keeps people in poverty.
"I think there's a way to be more efficient," he said to a group of about 25 people at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre. "And there's a way to bring more economic growth on reserves and working with First Nations to bring more private investment."
Bernier says it's too early to say what should replace the act first written in 1876. He's pledging to consult on the matter.
"My policy will be based on respecting the treaties that we signed together. We'll have consultation. I don't have the solution to tell you. I am here to do consultation and next time I'll meet with First Nations leaders and we'll see what we can do," he said.
Bernier said he favours a system that would allow private ownership on what is now reserve land.
He said changes would not necessarily affect the level of federal funding, but would require "new treaties" to be signed and a changing of relationships.
"I want to think outside the box, with new principles. It would be status quo on the money right now, but we have to try [new] ways to deal with each other. And after that we'll see the impact. We have an obligation to respect the treaties we signed," he said.
Bernier acknowledged it would not be easy.
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In Yukon, Maxime Bernier pledges to 'abolish' Indian Act - North - CBC News
Conservative party leadership candidate Maxime Bernier is the latest to say the Indian Act "should be abolished."
At a stop in Whitehorse on Sunday, Bernier said he believes the current act keeps people in poverty.
"I think there's a way to be more efficient," he said to a group of about 25 people at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre. "And there's a way to bring more economic growth on reserves and working with First Nations to bring more private investment."
Bernier says it's too early to say what should replace the act first written in 1876. He's pledging to consult on the matter.
"My policy will be based on respecting the treaties that we signed together. We'll have consultation. I don't have the solution to tell you. I am here to do consultation and next time I'll meet with First Nations leaders and we'll see what we can do," he said.
Bernier said he favours a system that would allow private ownership on what is now reserve land.
He said changes would not necessarily affect the level of federal funding, but would require "new treaties" to be signed and a changing of relationships.
"I want to think outside the box, with new principles. It would be status quo on the money right now, but we have to try [new] ways to deal with each other. And after that we'll see the impact. We have an obligation to respect the treaties we signed," he said.
Bernier acknowledged it would not be easy.
more
In Yukon, Maxime Bernier pledges to 'abolish' Indian Act - North - CBC News
