I have absolutely no problem being non-partisan when I disagree with the gov't.
I think they are handling this quite correctly.
Then you applaud lies..
Conservatives accused of deliberately provoking conflict with Attawapiskat
OTTAWA - The NDP MP whose riding includes the troubled Attawapiskat First Nation says the federal government is provoking a political showdown with the reserve.
Charlie Angus says it's no wonder the band council of the James Bay community turfed Ottawa's financial appointee on Monday, since they believe the decision to name a third-party financial manager is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from their housing crisis.
They blame Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan, he said.
"There's deep frustration in the community with how Mr. Duncan has treated them," Angus told The Canadian Press. "This is a raw power play,"
The third-party manager landed in the Cree community on Monday only to be sent packing by band members acting on behalf of Chief Theresa Spence.
A spokeswoman for Duncan said the appointee — Jacques Marion from the accounting firm BDO Canada LLP — left without a fuss, but still maintains full control of the band's finances.
But Angus says Duncan is compounding the conflict by wildly exaggerating how much help Ottawa is giving the impoverished community, where dozens of families live in substandard housing unfit to face winter.
"It was particularly odious that he stood up in the House and claimed that supplies were being flown in and emergency officials were on the ground," Angus said. "Those supplies come from little kids running bake sales for the Red Cross. The only officials on the ground are provincial."
Duncan issued a statement on Monday explaining how the government has spent $28 million on infrastructure in Attawapiskat since 2006.
He also said Ottawa freed up extra money for housing repairs as soon as the department knew that five families were living in wood-framed tents.
"Our government’s priority is to ensure that residents of Attawapiskat have access to safe, warm and dry shelter," the statement said. "The minister stressed that all parties should put the needs of the people first."
But Angus says the only extra supplies Ottawa has sent in are a couple of boxes of doughnuts that the third party manager brought with him when he tried to set up shop in the community.
"No wonder they got kicked out," Angus said.
"People are frustrated. They see this obsession with the accountant as diverting attention from the fact that, after almost 40 days in crisis, the government has delivered almost nothing to the community and people are still living in precarious situations."
Spence said last week that the families in tents should be able to move into sturdier accommodation within three weeks.
What's clear is that the housing crisis in Attawapiskat has now become a political crisis that has prompted many a chief to question Ottawa's good will.
The chiefs are gathering in the capital today for three days of annual Assembly of First Nations meetings.
National Chief Shawn Atleo is expected to address the Attawapiskat situation in his address this morning.
And Duncan is expected to make another move on First Nations transparency by introducing legislation that would lengthen the terms of office for band council members.
National chief says he stands with Attawapiskat in housing crisis - Winnipeg Free Press
