In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report issued Tuesday, a local MP said he's going to be watching the government's approach to addressing the issues raised by the residential school review.
"All Canadians can be proud that it was Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the previous Conservative government which issued the first-ever formal apology to former students of residential schools," said Todd Doherty, Cariboo-Prince George representative and deputy critic for Indigenous Affairs, in a press release. "Through the apology, the Government of Canada rightfully recognized that the residential schools policy had a damaging impact on indigenous and aboriginal culture, heritage and language."
The statement, issued jointly with lead ministry critic Cathy McLeod, not only thanked the commission's leaders for their work over the past six years, but also criticized the Liberal government for "its zeal" in accepting all 94 recommendations "with no detailed impact analysis or comprehensive costing."
There is also concern that accepting the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, "specifically text in the declaration in regards to free, prior and informed consent when used as a veto," could supersede existing Canadian laws, Doherty said.
"While the courts have been clear that First Nations have a right to be consulted on major development projects, it is important that the federal government must maintain final authority for those projects which are in Canada's national interest," said McLeod.
"Will the Liberal Party be clear with Canadians on that point?"
