Harper failure on Attawapiskat a black eye for Canada: NDP

UN blasts Conservative inaction; New Democrats invite Special Rapporteur to Attawapiskat

OTTAWA – New Democrats today blasted Stephen Harper for turning his back on Aboriginal families after the United Nations Special Rapporteur strongly criticized the government for failing to address the humanitarian crisis in Attawapiskat.

“This investigation by the UN Special Rapporteur is consistent with the serious concerns raised by Canada’s Auditor General,” said Linda Duncan, Official Opposition critic for Aboriginal Affairs. “The spring 2011 report of the Auditor General raised serious concerns with the abject failure of the federal government to improve living conditions for Aboriginal Canadians. She called for major structural reforms to guarantee Aboriginal communities receive basic services on par with other Canadians, but the Conservatives have refused to act.”

James Anaya, the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, expressed “deep concern” today over the crisis in Attawapiskat—as well as the health of other Aboriginal communities in Canada. He pointed the finger at the Conservative government, accusing it of underfunding reserves and blocking efforts to investigate discrimination against First Nations communities.

New Democrat MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay), whose riding includes the Attawapiskat reserve, issued an invitation to the UN’s Special Rapporteur to visit Attawapiskat and see the situation for himself.

“This crisis has been going on for months. Families will be spending winter in tents in Attawapiskat and the Conservatives just don’t seem to care,” said Angus. “Conservative inaction is a disgrace and giving Canada a black eye in front of the world.”

Duncan also pointed out that this is the second UN special investigation announced this month on the treatment of Canadian Aboriginals. Last week it was revealed that a UN Commission is investigating missing and murdered Aboriginal women and children.

“Canada has endorsed the mandates of these special rapporteurs. It is incumbent on the Harper government to fully cooperate with these investigations,” concluded Duncan.