WHITEHORSE – As the Liberal Express resumes its summer tour in Whitehorse this week, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff shared a clear, people-centered alternative with Northerners, focused on Aboriginal education, land claims and the Arctic’s environment – in stark contrast to a Harper government that is big on photo-ops but has failed to deliver for the North.
“Stephen Harper thinks it’s good enough to re-announce promises for the North that he has yet to keep, while neglecting the issues that matter most to Northerners,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “A future Liberal government will do things differently – by working with the people in North to find solutions on the challenges they face, like land claims, education, and protecting the Arctic environment.”
During his two-day visit to the Yukon Territory, Mr. Ignatieff joined Yukon MP and Liberal Critic for Arctic Issues and Northern Development Larry Bagnell for meetings with Yukon Mayors and First Nations Chiefs, a roundtable with anti-poverty and literacy groups, and a roundtable with industry and business leaders. He also spoke with local residents about their concerns for the future at a community gathering in Whitehorse.
Among the issues Mr. Ignatieff addressed was the Harper government’s inaction on Aboriginal education and their failure to live up to both the spirit and the letter of the law on Yukon Land Claim and Self Government Agreements, especially in regards to implementation.
“A future Liberal government will not ignore First Nations land claims, but instead would engage in a serious dialogue with Aboriginal leaders to ensure that modern treaties are implemented fully as negotiated, according to their letter, their spirit and intent,” he said. “We would also lift the cap on federal INAC post secondary education programming to increase supports for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners, including the north.”
Mr. Ignatieff was also clear that economic development in the North cannot come at the expense of environmental responsibility.
“We want to lead the world in protecting our oceans and our coastal communities from ecological disasters, with a smarter, more effective, science-based approach to oceans management,” said Mr. Ignatieff.
The Liberal Party has called for a moratorium on offshore drilling throughout the Arctic pending a full review of the risks to the people and environment of the North.
