I believe that federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl is letting the people of Brantford down. His predecessor, highly regarded Jim Prentice, was putting the final touches to a new and more expeditious land claim settlement process when he was unfortunately appointed to a new cabinet post. This new process would have greatly improved the speed of the settlements.
However, since Strahl's appointment nearly a year ago, not a word has been heard about it. It has apparently fallen through the cracks. Also, despite the economic problems to
Brantford surrounding native land claims, Strahl has never visited the Brantford area to see and hear first-hand the harm being done to our community.
One can only conclude that he doesn't care very much. Surely, during Parliament's long summer recess, he could have found the time.
Art Stanbridge Brantford