Robert Nault Statement - August 28, 2000

2-00163

Statement by Minister Robert Nault (A.M.)

Ottawa (August 28, 2000) - The Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development issued the following statement today:

As Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, I have been following the Burnt Church situation very closely. It is through dialogue that solutions can be found, and I am hopeful that negotiations will soon resume so arrangements can be arrived at to resolve the current situation.

It has always been clear that interim fishing agreements were an early step in the implementation of the Marshall decision and that we would have both short and long-term goals to pursue. In particular, we know that there needs to be a broader process which will address First Nations concerns and aspirations in the future. I want to communicate clearly to all First Nations on the East Coast that the federal government is committed to addressing long-term solutions to issues of Aboriginal and treaty rights.

My colleague, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and I have complementary roles to play in addressing the aspirations of First Nations on the East Coast, including the full implementation of the Marshall decision. Minister Dhaliwal has been working on expediting and facilitating the immediate participation of First Nations in the commercial fishery. A process has begun to improve the prosperity in First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada through the transfer of fishing licenses over the past year. All told, 29 of the 34 First Nations affected by the Supreme Court of Canada's Marshall decision have now reached agreements or agreements-in-principle with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Hundreds of licences have been provided along with about 100 vessels. These fishing agreements have begun to yield positive results for the First Nations communities that have signed. Furthermore, the stable and positive climate that results from these agreements in those communities is critically important to further discussions on addressing longer term issues.

As Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs it is my responsibility to work on these longer term solutions. I have met with First Nation leaders on a number of occasions to discuss how we should proceed. They have requested that progress be made on urgent issues affecting the standard of living of their communities. To demonstrate my commitment and achieve immediate results, I have increased resources to support economic development opportunities for First Nations and I expect to increase the land base in Atlantic reserves over the next two years.

Furthermore, my officials and I are in discussions with First Nations partners and provincial governments to explore ways in the Atlantic region to work out sustainable solutions to outstanding Aboriginal issues, including Aboriginal and treaty rights. This is what the courts have repeatedly told us to do - resolve these issues at the negotiating table.

The need to address these issues is great. The fact is that Aboriginal people do not enjoy the same standard of living as other Canadians. The Government of Canada recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable - that the gaps in health, social and economic conditions must be closed. What we also know is that opportunities to access resources can create jobs and attract investors to aid in the development of First Nations communities and the wider local economy. In our view, through these long-term discussions about access to resources, we can make lasting change in the quality of life for Aboriginal people in Canada.

We are anxious to make progress. However, the federal government cannot do this alone - we need the participation of our partners to find lasting solutions. We must also respect the fact that some parties, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, need time to develop their long term vision on these fundamental issues. I will continue to work with First Nations leaders and provincial governments to establish a process by which we will be able to resolve these issues as soon as possible.

The Marshall decision reaffirms the importance of the goals outlined in Gathering Strength - Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan which called for governments and Aboriginal groups to work in partnership to identify opportunities that will help improve the lives of First Nations.

Top


		2-00163 Statement by Minister Robert Nault (A.M.) Ottawa (August 28, 2000) - The Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development issued the following statement today: As Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, I have been following the Burnt Church situation very closely. It is through dialogue that solutions can be found, and I am hopeful that negotiations will soon resume so arrangements can be arrived at to resolve the current situation. It has always been clear that interim fishing agreements were an early step in the implementation of the Marshall decision and that we would have both short and long-term goals to pursue. In particular, we know that there needs to be a broader process which will address First Nations concerns and aspirations in the future. I want to communicate clearly to all First Nations on the East Coast that the federal government is committed to addressing long-term solutions to issues of Aboriginal and treaty rights. My colleague, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and I have complementary roles to play in addressing the aspirations of First Nations on the East Coast, including the full implementation of the Marshall decision. Minister Dhaliwal has been working on expediting and facilitating the immediate participation of First Nations in the commercial fishery. A process has begun to improve the prosperity in First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada through the transfer of fishing licenses over the past year. All told, 29 of the 34 First Nations affected by the Supreme Court of Canada's Marshall decision have now reached agreements or agreements-in-principle with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Hundreds of licences have been provided along with about 100 vessels. These fishing agreements have begun to yield positive results for the First Nations communities that have signed. Furthermore, the stable and positive climate that results from these agreements in those communities is critically important to further discussions on addressing longer term issues. As Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs it is my responsibility to work on these longer term solutions. I have met with First Nation leaders on a number of occasions to discuss how we should proceed. They have requested that progress be made on urgent issues affecting the standard of living of their communities. To demonstrate my commitment and achieve immediate results, I have increased resources to support economic development opportunities for First Nations and I expect to increase the land base in Atlantic reserves over the next two years. Furthermore, my officials and I are in discussions with First Nations partners and provincial governments to explore ways in the Atlantic region to work out sustainable solutions to outstanding Aboriginal issues, including Aboriginal and treaty rights. This is what the courts have repeatedly told us to do - resolve these issues at the negotiating table. The need to address these issues is great. The fact is that Aboriginal people do not enjoy the same standard of living as other Canadians. The Government of Canada recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable - that the gaps in health, social and economic conditions must be closed. What we also know is that opportunities to access resources can create jobs and attract investors to aid in the development of First Nations communities and the wider local economy. In our view, through these long-term discussions about access to resources, we can make lasting change in the quality of life for Aboriginal people in Canada. We are anxious to make progress. However, the federal government cannot do this alone - we need the participation of our partners to find lasting solutions. We must also respect the fact that some parties, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, need time to develop their long term vision on these fundamental issues. I will continue to work with First Nations leaders and provincial governments to establish a process by which we will be able to resolve these issues as soon as possible. The Marshall decision reaffirms the importance of the goals outlined in Gathering Strength - Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan which called for governments and Aboriginal groups to work in partnership to identify opportunities that will help improve the lives of First Nations. Top