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May 23rd, 2020

NDP secures all-party support following conflict of interest controversy on government’s COVID-19 Supply Council

OTTAWA – After the recent resignation of a member of the federal government’s COVID-19 Supply Council in the wake of a conflict of interest controversy, all parties supported the NDP’s bid to have the Ministers of Indigenous Services and Public Service and Procurement to come to committee to answer growing questions on corporate interest.

“Indigenous communities across the country need federal help right now during this pandemic,” said NDP MP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski). “The recent procurement of medical tents that were not requested by Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and the presence of corporate lobbyists on the COVID-19 Supply Council raise major concerns about the government’s spending decisions. Indigenous communities deserve answers now.”

Today, at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, the NDP secured all-party support for this motion.

“Help is needed now in Nunavut and across the country to face COVID-19,” said NDP MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq (Nunavut). “We must ensure that the government’s help is going to Indigenous communities and the people who need it. Not to the well-connected.”