Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod is consistently challenging the policies of the federal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in her new role as Indigenous Affairs Critic as the Liberals try to follow through on their campaign pledge to forge a new “nation-to-nation” relationship with First Nations in Canada.
McLeod has spoken out on a number of big First Nations issues since she was named to the Official Opposition’s shadow cabinet in November, following the Liberal majority win in the federal election that knocked the Conservatives from power in October.
On Dec. 18, the Liberals announced the reinstatement of funding and the suspension of court actions against First Nations communities that have not complied with the First Nations Financial Transparency Act (FNFTA), a controversial piece of legislation brought in by the Conservatives in 2013 that required First Nations bands to make financial information about chiefs and council available to their members.
In response, McLeod, on behalf of the Conservatives, called the move a “step backwards” by the Liberals, which have “abandoned transparency,” she says.
“This is a sad day for those First Nations community members who called for enhanced financial accountability and transparency.”
The FNFTA represented real progress in ensuring First Nations leadership worked in the best interests of their communities and it should remain in place, McLeod adds.
“The act ensures community members have access to basic financial information, such as audited financial statements, and the salaries and expenses of chief and council. Now with no compliance measures in effect, it’s a safe prediction that the compliance rate will collapse, and financial information will again be shrouded in secrecy from community members.”
In a statement, Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, says the move is based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership with Aboriginal Peoples.
“Transparency and accountability are paramount to any government, whether it is municipal, provincial, federal or First Nation. We will work in full partnership with First Nations leadership and organizations on the way forward to improve accountability and transparency. This cannot be achieved without the engagement of First Nations and its members.”
In a separate interview, McLeod also addressed her political party’s turnaround with respect to supporting a national public inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women. While the previous Conservative government under then prime minister Stephen Harper refused to launch an inquiry, the party’s interim leader, Rona Ambrose, announced a reversal of that position in November.
A 2014 report from the RCMP identified a total of 1,181 missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada. Under the Liberals, the inquiry is expected to begin in the spring.
The Conservatives’ position was that another study wasn’t needed, and resources should be directed toward solutions, explains McLeod.
However, she acknowledges a significant segment of the population didn’t agree with that position.
“It’s clear the call from across Canada, from leadership and from the families, is that an inquiry is needed. We’re going to support that moving forward and hope that it brings both peace to the families, but also a clear direction in terms of actual action to move forward with.”
