NDP will usher in new era of Nation to Nation relationship

Mulcair government will invest in Indigenous education, housing, and clean water

Speaking to the Assembly of First Nations today, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair made a powerful commitment to a new era of Nation to Nation relationship, based on respect and on real investments to close the gaps in Indigenous education, health care, clean drinking water and housing.

“For 148 years, successive Liberal and Conservative governments have failed Indigenous communities in Canada, and Stephen Harper has made it worse,” said Mulcair. “An NDP government will work with Indigenous communities, not against them, and together, we will deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of Indigenous peoples across Canada. We will close the gap.”

Mulcair said he would take immediate action on critical infrastructure, clean drinking water and community health. “We will work to end boil water requirements for Indigenous communities, and we will treat the significant health challenges of Indigenous communities as a Canadian problem that Canada must solve.”

Mulcair committed to creating and chairing a cabinet-level committee to ensure government decisions respect federal commitments to Indigenous peoples. He also committed to:

• removing the punitive 2% funding cap imposed by Liberals and Conservatives;
• devoting $4.8 billion over eight years for Indigenous education;
• calling an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.