FALSE FRONT LEGISLATION: BILL C-27, FIRST NATIONS FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
For Immediate Release:
November 24, 2011
London, ON – WHAT A SHAM!! This bill is just another diversionary tactic by the Government of Canada to refocus the Canadian general public away from the real substantive issues facing First Nations.
Very few will oppose this legislation as most politicians know that if you oppose this bill you will be branded as opposing accountability. Is this really about accountability and transparency? At the end of the day, this will change nothing in First Nation communities.
If we really want to talk about transparency and accountability, let’s start with our lack of relationship with the federal government and their inability to address treaties, housing, health, clean drinking water, child welfare, education, and land reclamation just to name a few.
Every day of our lives we are accountable through the Indian Act, financial agreements, and legislation. Even Canada’s watchdog, the Auditor General, has identified that First Nations are overburdened with reporting requirements and accountability measures.
This legislation purports the myth that if First Nations are more efficient in the use of their finances, life will be better in First Nation communities. This is a complete fallacy and no one should be taken in by this blatant act of deception.
The federal government wants us to “do as I say, not as I do”.
This was most recently illustrated when the Prime Minister failed to disclose the true costs of the G-8 and the G-20 summits prior to the election, and the Finance Minister failed to be completely honest with government committees investigating this.
We are, as we have been in the past, fully prepared to engage the federal government to resolve the substantive issues that our peoples face daily.
Let’s get on with the real job – reconciliation!
The AIAI is mandated as a political territorial organization to defend and enhance the Aboriginal and Treaty rights of its eight member First Nations. Visit them online at www.aiai.on.ca, www.facebook.com/aiai.pto, www.youtube.com/user/AIAIAdmin.
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For more information, please contact: John Jones, Communications Coordinator - AIAI at 519-434-2761 or jjones@aiai.on.ca .
