First Peoples National Party of Canada

[Jersay]

The First Peoples National Party of Canada (FPNPC) is a political party that is eligible for registration as a federal political party in Canada. It intends to advance the issues of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada by nominating candidates for election in electoral districts with large Aboriginal populations.

Both the FPNPC and the Aboriginal Peoples Party of Canada began organizing independently in the early fall of 2005. Although the parties contrasted somewhat in their desire to work closely with or at arm's-length from national aboriginal organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, it is believed that the two parties have merged their applications for registration to facilitate gaining Elections Canada recognition. One of the conditions of that agreement was a national convention in which the party's name would be put to the membership for a vote.

Barbara Wardlaw of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is the party's interim leader. While the party intends to run candidates in the coming election, it remains unclear how many there will be and which electoral districts will be contested.

Now I got interested earlier this year in the election when I heard of this party being created. I am not an Aboriginal person, but I agree with having this party and would have voted for it if it has a candidate in my riding, until I read the NDP platform.

So my question to you is, is it wise to have a party based on one group of people? I am sure that anyone can vote for the First Peoples National Party of Canada, but it is designed for Native people, like the Bloc is for French people? So what do you think? And what do you think of the party in general?

Homepage:

http://www.fpnpoc.ca/

 

[Finder]

Yes from what I've read on the platform, which I'll admit I didn't go into detale, it's not a bad party. But just like the Green party, the NDP already has much of the same platform. In our system of FPTP all this party is doing is marginizing it's own platform by hurting the NDP just like the Greens do. If both the Greens and this party stay together as a political group intending to run one day in a different electoral system and decide to support the NDP which advances both parties views, and also supports electoral reform which would help the green and perhaps win a few seats for FPNPC one day they would have much better chances then spliting the votes.

 

[Jersay]

You never know. Nunavut might vote for a FPNPC candidate if they have one in Nunavut. But then again it might marginalize the NDP vote that is close to taking the whole North to the Orange side of the political spectrum.

 

[HTO]

Sweet. Thanks for the info. Just stuck it up on my forum to get a feel for what my Nunavut members think.

A candidate probably won't happen for Nunavut this election but can positively see it happening in the future.

 

[Finder]

You never know. Nunavut might vote for a FPNPC candidate if they have one in Nunavut. But then again it might marginalize the NDP vote that is close to taking the whole North to the Orange side of the political spectrum.

Or it will split the vote for the NDP and a conservative or Liberal will get in. FPTP kills this system. Plus what will one lone member from FPNPC do. He get's no time to talk in parliment unless he begs another party for time.

 

[Karlin]

I really like the idea.
Its good to see the Aboriginals getting more and more organised all the time, and this FPNP is a step in the right direction.

They have maintained that their nation IS a separate nation "within" Canada, and in more ways than one, thats true.

I could even see myself voting for them, not just for support but because envirnonmental issues are my main concern politically, and I believe the First Nations peoples would take better care of it.

 

[athabaska]

I'm glad to see the First Nations taking charge of their own destiny. This will hopefully increase voter turnout not only in th eNorth but especially in Saskatchewan and other areas that have ridings with large aboriginal populations.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: First Peoples Nationa

It's about time that the natives started their own party. I doubt it will have much of an impact this time around...the party is new, will be short of money, and is getting a late start this election. They'll do better the next time around though.

If they do get any members elected they'll have to deal with not having official party status. They won't get time in Question Period to ask questions and may not be included in committees. I would hope that if they do get members elected that the other parties give them time in Question Period and somebody has the foresight to put them on any committee related to native issues.

 

[no1important]

RE: First Peoples Nationa

I am glad tto, they are finally starting a party. I do think there are a couple ridings in BC (and in other provinces) they could do well in and maybe in the next election or one after when they are better set up, they could win some seats.

 

[Finder]

NDP might give them time.... But then again, if natives want representation in parliment with a part to advance there views, vote NDP in the first place.

Anyhow will be interesting to see how it splits the votes in those regions or even if it has any real effect at all.

 

[Reverend Blair]

NDP might give them time.... But then again, if natives want representation in parliment with a part to advance there views, vote NDP in the first place.

The winning party could give them the time normally given to backbenchers to ask those ass-sucking questions they usually give in Question Period. "Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to ask the Minister in Charge of Getting Me to the Front Benches how he became such a stud-muffin." That time should be dedicated to independents and those without official party status.

Getting on committee is more important than time in Question Period though. That's where the real work gets done. While they might be given a token position on things directly relating to native issues, it is doubtful that they'd any voice at all in things like municipal affairs even though it directly affects natives. That would leave them having to get people who are on the committees trying to present their views.

 

[no1important]

RE: First Peoples Nationa

How would you posters feel if Canada did what New Zeland does and guarantee First Nations a couple seats like the Maori people get? They recieve 4 seats I believe but New Zeland has a mixed member proportional system.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: First Peoples Nationa

I'd support that, No 1, but I doubt you'd get enough support anywhere else to actually put it through.

 

[#juan]

While I whole heartedly endorse the idea of first nations taking part in our government, I'm a little disturbed that they are starting another Blok that will always be separate, and always will out of the mainstream of Canadian politics. I like the idea of guaranteeing a number of seats so they are properly represented. Maybe a better plan would be for the existing parties to only run first nations candidates in those ridings.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: First Peoples Nationa

That wouldn't be fair non-natives in those ridings though, Juan. Plus, how do you decide? If you look at Regina-Quapelle, there are several reserves in the area, plus a large urban First Nations constituency. The majority of the people are of European heritage though.

Somebody running for the FPNPC would most likely not get elected, but they would force the other parties in the area to focus more on native issues. Right now that vote pretty much goes to the Liberals, who also can't get elected there, and native issues are rarely discussed.

 

[iamcanadian]

It is a much more legitimate federal party then the Bloc Quebecois that is only interested in one province's interests.

 

[#juan]

That wouldn't be fair non-natives in those ridings though, Juan. Plus, how do you decide? If you look at Regina-Quapelle, there are several reserves in the area, plus a large urban First Nations constituency. The majority of the people are of European heritage though.

Guaranteeing them a few seats as someone else mentioned would also be unfair to non-natives who might want to run in those ridings. I think we should bring them into government though, and the easiest way would be to pick a few ridings and run only first nations candidates in them. That would guarantee representation for only one term. If they did a good job, they might be re-elected.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: First Peoples Nationa

What ridings though? It's easier in the territories, granted, but even Churchill has a large, non-native population. To complicate things, the natives generally support the Liberals (who are running a native candidate there...Tina Keeper). Would the other parties be expected to produce native candiates there, or would they be expected to put them into other ridings?

The Liberals have about 15 native candidates and the NDP have 5. The CPC says that it doesn't profile their candidates that way, but they haven't got any natives in ridings where they are a real factor that I'm aware of.

Will having native candidates in the mainstream parties encourage more First Nations people to vote? Most analysts seem to think that having their own party will. If they become less disenfranchised because of having a party, isn't that enough to justify the party.

If a native wins their seat and their party wins the election, is that person going to be anything more than a backbencher? If they win a seat in opposition, will they be asking questions on a regular basis? Will they be on any committees?

There are a lot of questions here, but in the end I think the answer is that the mainstream parties have done a piss-poor job of getting natives to participate so the natives are giving it a shot themselves.

 

[Jersay]

Reverend, makes a good point. I agree that the major parties, Liberal, NDP, and Conservatives have done a piss-poor job with native concerns which has resulted in their lack of interest in politics. So, maybe this party is a good sign and will get native people interested in the political system.

Also, I wonder if anyone knows if the BLOC is running any native candidates?

 

[#juan]

There are a lot of questions here, but in the end I think the answer is that the mainstream parties have done a piss-poor job of getting natives to participate so the natives are giving it a shot themselves.

You got that right. The mainstream parties have been interested for the most part in winning the election and important issues have been shoved to the back burner time and time again. I just hope that this party doesn't end up a completely one-sided, dead-ended party like the BQ.