INAC Minister uses funding threats to try and silence protests by First Nations
Press Release ...
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice Smears and Threatens First Nations
March 29, 2007, Ottawa - Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice must immediately apologize to Canada's First Nations people and withdraw threats to audit the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs if they dare to protest against the Conservative government, Liberal Indian Affairs Critic Anita Neville said.
"It is shocking and appalling the Minister would resort to threats to quash the democratic voices of those who may choose to show their disapproval with the Conservatives' recent budget, which contained almost nothing for Aboriginal Canadians," said Ms. Neville.
In a March 29, 2007, letter to the Winnipeg Free Press, Mr. Prentice threatened to undertake forensic audits of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs if they participate in a national protest against the Conservative government. In a March 28, 2007, letter to the Globe and Mail, he also insinuated - without justification - that the Assembly of First Nations plans on using federal funds for the protest.
In his letter to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Mr. Prentice says: "I am prepared to order forensic audits of every organization that participates in blockades and civil disobedience to ensure that monies intended for children were not used to plan these activities."
"This is the act of a bully," Ms. Neville said. "It is a threat against freedom of speech, freedom of association and against democracy itself. It is unacceptable and cannot be justified.
"The Minister has no evidence whatsoever that any federal funds would be used to organize a protest, but in publishing his letters he has insinuated that is the case - again, without any justification.
"This is a tactic that is not uncommon with the Conservative Party. We see it with the Wheat Board and with women's groups funded by Status of Women Canada. But it must end.
Both Manitoba Grand Chief Ron Evans and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine have declared June 29 as a national day of action to protest the government's lack of accountability when it comes to addressing the needs of Aboriginals.
The government's 2007 budget did nothing to replace the Kelowna Accord which was reached with First Nations and the previous Liberal government and which the current government has scrapped.
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Minister trying to silence aboriginal critics, MP says
Fri Mar 30 2007
WINNIPEG -- The federal Liberal critic in charge of First Nations issues is calling on Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice to apologize for letters he wrote to two newspapers.
Winnipeg MP Anita Neville said in a release that some of Prentice's comments in the letters are "shocking and appalling".
Prentice wrote to the Winnipeg Free Press on Thursday, saying he was "surprised" by threats made by Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to block development projects.
Chiefs from across Canada have warned native blockades may rise because young people are frustrated by the virtual exclusion of First Nations from the recent federal Tory budget.
But in the letter, Prentice said the budget contains $1 billion in new spending that targets housing, children and families, education and economic opportunities, areas of concern mentioned by Evans.
Prentice said that he hopes $50.8 million in taxpayer grants and contributions to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs isn't used "in planning illegal and disruptive blockades."
"I am prepared to order forensic audits of every organization that participates in blockades and civil disobedience to ensure that monies intended for children were not used to plan these activities," he wrote.
Neville accused Prentice of making threats to "quash the democratic voices" of aboriginals who wish to show their disapproval of the budget.
"This is the act of a bully," Neville said. "It is a threat against freedom of speech, freedom of association and against democracy itself."
She said Prentice "insinuates" in both letters that federal funds would be used to organize a protest.
Prentice also wrote to the Globe and Mail on Wednesday to comment on a column which refers to calls by Phil Fontaine, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, for a national day of action June 29.
The column says the day will be used to disrupt road, rail and port service across Canada to protest the lack of action on aboriginal issues.
Prentice wrote: "I hope none of the $27 million in grants and contributions received annually by the AFN will be used in planning illegal blockades," but does not threaten an audit.
He wrote he's committed to finding solutions to difficult issues and that progress has been made. "We look forward to that progress continuing, but not under threats of blockades and disruptions."
-- Canadian Press