Premiers ask PM for meeting on native issues

RHÉAL SÉGUIN

Globe and Mail Update

July 16, 2008 at 4:02 PM EDT

Quebec — Provincial and territorial premiers are calling for a meeting with the Prime Minister to address poverty and lack of education in native communities.

Speaking on behalf of the other provinces and territories, Quebec Premier Jean Charest said that following last month's historic apology regarding the treatment of children in native residential schools, Stephen Harper should examine concrete ways to helping native children.

The premiers expressed support for the Kelowna accord, which set aside $5.1-billion in funding to tackle social, economic and educational disparities in native communities. The Kelowna accord, was signed by the former Liberal government but has not been implemented by the Conservatives.

“Where do we now want to go? That's the question we are asking the Prime Minister. This isn't about confronting him or embarrassing the federal government. This is about recognizing that children and education is a very important issue,” Mr. Charest said during a joint news conference with native leaders.

He explained that the meeting with Mr. Harper would include provincial and territorial representatives as well as those from aboriginal communities, native women groups, métis and Inuit, which could pave the way for an eventual First Ministers meeting to ratify a new deal.

Native leaders also voiced support for the meeting. Assembly of First Nations leader Phil Fontaine said the Kelowna accord was still valid, and should be used as a building block toward a new consensus.

“It's important that the federal government be at the table. Their absence would cause any future work that we do together to fail,” Mr. Fontaine said. “The Kelowna accord is now Canadian law. What is missing is the financial commitment to implement the Kelowna accord. When we talk next steps, that is the most import step we can take.”

Inuit leader Mary Simon said the time has come to address education as a key priority to preserve and enhance their languages and cultures.

“We are calling on the Prime minister of Canada and the federal government to be our partners in building this new relationship on an urgent basis. … Let's leave a legacy for our country,” Ms. Simon said.