Comments inflame shaky relations

Fri, July 13, 2007

By SUN MEDIA NEWS SERVICES
Posted London Free Press

HALIFAX -- Native leaders condemned the federal government's assertion yesterday that the defunct Kelowna accord was nothing more than an "expensive press release," saying the comments do nothing to improve strained relations with Ottawa.

Assembly of First Nations national chief Phil Fontaine said the remarks by a parliamentary secretary for the minister of indian and northern affairs reflect the Conservatives' disregard for a document he says could have improved the lives of natives countrywide. "It's wrong to suggest to Canadians that the Kelowna accord is just an expensive press release," Fontaine said on the last day of the organization's annual meeting. "It's simply wrong. It's irresponsible (and) too dismissive. We deserve better from the government."