Native leaders have condemned the federal government's assertion that the defunct Kelowna accord was nothing more than an "expensive press release," saying the comments do nothing to improve already strained relations with Ottawa.
Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations said the remarks by two aides to the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs reflect the Conservatives disregard for a document he says could have improved the lives of natives across the country.
"It's simply wrong. It's irresponsible (and) too dismissive. We deserve better from the government," Fontaine, national chief of the assembly, said yesterday on the last day of the organization's annual meeting in Halifax.
A dismayed Fontaine rebuffed the claims, saying the creation of the accord involved 1,000 people, 18 months of work and the agreement of the provinces, territories and aboriginal leaders.
The wide-ranging Kelowna accord, signed with the former Liberal government of Paul Martin in November 2005, would have seen $5 billion go toward native education, employment and anti-poverty initiatives.
The Tories say they are taking a more "targeted approach" to dealing with specific land claims, concluding the residential schools settlement agreement and extending human rights protection to natives living on reserves.