Here’s a running list of the guarantees that Justin Trudeau, Erin O’Toole, Annamie Paul, Jagmeet Singh, and Yves-Francois Blanchet have made about reconciliation with Indigenous peoples from the time the campaign starts to election day:
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Sept. 8: O’Toole was asked through the French debate whether he would recognize Indigenous languages as official languages if elected. He dodged a direct answer but said “it’s possible to have services in Indigenous languages.”
Aug. 30: O’Toole said he supports constructing the cancelled Northern Gateway oil pipeline largely since it would supply Indigenous communities in favour of the project with economic opportunities.
- Some First Nations along the pipeline route have inked agreements for a 33 per cent ownership stake within the pipeline, though many other communities have fought the project in court.
Aug 23: Erin O’Toole has pledged a plan to implement all truth and reconciliation calls to motion. Nevertheless, the Conservative party’s platform only commits to a plan to implement six specific items that cope with the deaths of youngsters in residential schools and the sites where they were buried.
Sept 8: Responding to an issue about adding Indigenous languages to Canada’s list of official languages, Trudeau said it’s “obvious that we’d like to acknowledge the worth of that culture.” He used his response time through the French debate to tout his record improving the status of Indigenous languages in Canada, including the appointment of a governor general who speaks English and Inuktitut.
Sept. 1: The Liberals have promised to extend spending on a distinctions-based mental health and wellness strategy, guided by communities, survivors and their families: $100 million this yr, and $325 million annually after that.
- The Liberals also promised to offer any support crucial for further searches of unmarked burial sites, and to create a everlasting home for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: $60 million next yr and $5 million a yr after that.
Aug. 30: The party unveiled a plan to spend $2 billion over 4 years on housing for First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities — with greater than half flowing in time for the 2022 summer construction season.
- The plan would see one other $300 million allocated to co-developing a housing strategy for Indigenous urban, rural and northern communities, in partnership with Indigenous organizations.
- The Liberals also promised a further $1.4 billion over five years for a mental health and wellness technique to be developed with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Nation. The sum can be on top of previously announced funding of greater than $597 million, they said.
Sept 8: Jagmeet Singh said within the second televised French debate that as prime minister, he would recognize First Nations, Inuit and Métis languages as official languages in Canada — “a small step” toward reconciliation that may have a “profound impact.”
Aug. 20: Singh announced that, if elected prime minister, he would appoint a special prosecutor on residential schools and demand all residential school records from institutions similar to governments and churches be released.
- Singh said a NDP government would also work to totally implement all outstanding recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Sept. 8: If elected, Annamie Paul said she would “absolutely” give Indigenous languages “official” status in Canada, alongside English and French.
Sept. 7: The Green Party unveiled a plan that commits to implementing all outstanding recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Calls for Justice from the Final Report on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
- The party also guarantees to totally implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for First Nations who support it and involve them within the creation of supporting laws.
- Paul has committed to doubling the present budget of the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative and increasing support for Indigenous-led, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate mental health programs and services.
- The platform says a Green government would also “stop fighting” orders from Canada’s Human Rights Tribunal requiring the federal government to compensate victims of discrimination and ensure non-status First Nations’ children living off-reserve have access to Jordan’s Principle.
- The Greens further say they may develop a National Framework for Indigenous Protected and Conservation areas that include collaborative governance arrangements for all marine sectors.
- If elected, they might also formally repudiate the doctrine of discovery and other “doctrines of superiority,” while establishing a process to transition out from under the Indian Act. Paul would also demand an apology from the Pope for the role of the Catholic Church in residential schools.
- In line with the Sept. 7 platform, the party also vows to finish all boil water advisories, and ensure equitable access to education and food security across the country.
Sept. 8: Throughout the French debate, Blanchet said within the spirit of a culturally enriching coexistence, a Bloc government would give official recognition to First Nations, Inuit and Métis languages.
- The Bloc platform also vows to abolish the Indian Act, work with Indigenous peoples on a nation-to-nation level to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in areas of federal jurisdiction, and create a recent, independent organization to cope with land claims efficiently.
- It states that elected Bloc MPs would pressure the federal government to implement all recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and to demand that churches release archival information on residential schools.
- The Bloc would also guarantee sustainable and predictable funding for programs that support the healing of residential school survivors.
