Cathy McLeod has a lot of work ahead of her as the Conservative MP for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo was named Indigenous Affairs critic in the Official Opposition’s shadow cabinet on Nov. 20.
McLeod, whose new position pits her opposite the Liberal’s Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennet, is taking on the role amidst a spring of optimism from First Nations voices across the country, hoping Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pre-election pledge to start a “new nation-to-nation process” will improve relations between the federal government and Aboriginal Peoples.
Locally, the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NStQ), which includes the Canim Lake Band near 100 Mile House, released a statement following the federal election in October saying it was pleased with the election of the Liberals and delighted with the Prime Minister’s subsequent cabinet appointments.
“I do recognize many of the aboriginal communities are happy with the change in government,” says McLeod.
“I would also like to point out that I believe our Conservative government did many important things in the last number of years in terms of supporting First Nations.”
McLeod mentions the formal residential school apology delivered by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2008; the $2-billion settlement for residential school survivors in 2007; and the establishment in 2008 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“I certainly think we have done many things that have made a difference, and hopefully made an important difference in terms of dealing with some of these issues.”
As for why she was chosen for this particular file, McLeod says she won’t speculate on the choices made by Conservative Party interim leader Rona Ambrose regarding the naming of shadow cabinet members.
However, McLeod does note that British Columbia has, compared to the rest of the country, some unique challenges in terms of land settlement issues. Sixty First Nations, including the NStQ, are currently participating in the BC Treaty process.
“I have worked with and for aboriginal communities in my past and I am honoured [Ambrose] had the faith in me to take on this important role … which is as the government moves forward and makes decisions, to ensure they’re done in an effective, productive way.”
