Peggy Revell
Education, the environment, resource-sharing, local governance and accountability, and a host of other issues important to local aboriginal communities were on the table yesterday as Rainy River First Nations hosted an all-candidates’ debate prior to Monday’s federal election.
But it ended up being a debate minus half the candidates as both Conservative Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann and Green Party hopeful Ed Shields were no-shows.
That left incumbent NDP candidate John Rafferty and Liberal Ken Boshcoff, a former two-term MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River, to outline their thoughts and parties’ platforms.
“The absence of two candidates is troubling,” Boshcoff said to a round of applause, noting there were no “command performances” elsewhere in the riding as candidates are very much on the same schedule.
There also had been plenty of notice and accommodation.
While Shields had declined to attend from the outset, Comuzzi-Stehmann had neither confirmed nor declined her attendance.
Otherwise, it was a rather amicable debate, with both Rafferty and Boshcoff often finding agreement on the priorities and needs for solution when answering questions from the roughly 20 people who turned out for the debate—a first for the community in order to encourage aboriginal participation come election day.
Rafferty cited the “four quarters” of the NDP policy when it comes to aboriginal communities, including forging a new partnership, fostering economic opportunity and lasting prosperity, ending discrimination, and healing the past.
Among many things, Rafferty said this includes restructuring Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, as recommended by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples back in 1996.
As well, he stressed the importance of accelerating self-government agreements, ending funding inequities, and investing in aboriginal economic development and education in response to various questions.
“The federal government has not kept up with its treaty rights that require funding for students to continue on [in] school,” Rafferty remarked, noting this funding level—currently capped at 1985 levels—is happening at the very point when many First Nations are starting to experience success and more of their students are qualifying for college, university, and apprenticeships.
Ending this cap is something Boshcoff agreed with when it comes to First Nations’ education.
Slamming both the province’s Far North Act and Mining Act changes, which will be “devastating” to all communities, including First Nations, Rafferty agreed with the need for fair resource-sharing and development when it comes to mining and new economic development in the north.
He stressed the importance of outside companies not just providing some jobs that disappear once construction is over, but real
education, training, jobs, and careers for these communities.
Rafferty added policing also is an issue that needs to be addressed when it comes to Treaty #3, NAN, and Treaty #9, arguing there is a lack of funding for officers and communications, meaning many officers are working in unsafe and insecure conditions.
Boshcoff, meanwhile, stressed the importance of all communities—First Nations and municipalities—working together for the benefit of all, citing his experience over the years doing so.
“It was the First Nations who came in when the City of Thunder Bay was fighting the province for the med school,” he recalled.
“The First Nations came in and gave the back-up—after that, we were unstoppable,” he noted.
Resource-sharing when it comes to First Nations hinges on respect, and actually hearing and consulting First Nations, Boshcoff added, referencing the four pillars set forward by the Assembly of First Nations when it comes to consultation.
“There’s a duty for the Canadian government to follow through to the intent and the purpose of the original treaties,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for genuine and sincere consultation.
Questioned over the inclusion of a First Nations’ auditor general in their platform, Boshcoff said the Liberal plank was formed from input from First Nations’ people, so this policy isn’t a “top down” solution.
He also stressed the importance of First Nations’ people working from a grassroots level to make changes if they’re concerned about transparency and accountability.
Both candidates also pledged their support when it comes to helping First Nations’ people in the fight against drug abuse in their communities, as well as their support when it comes to healing and justice over historical issues such as the “’60s scoop” and residential schools.
And in a “to walk the talk” moment, the pair were asked if their own party had aboriginal candidates running in this election.
“There definitely are aboriginal and Métis representatives in the Liberal party,” noted Boshcoff, although he couldn’t give an exact number.
“I know that there are literally dozens running in this election.
“In terms of candidate seats, [it’s] very broadly based from coast to coast to coast,” he added.
The NDP also has “quite a few” aboriginal candidates running, said Rafferty, although he, too, could not give a precise figure.
“We’re also very proud in this election to have the most-ever women running—some of whom are aboriginal candidates,” Rafferty added, saying this number is sitting at 40 percent and they’re aiming for 50 percent.
“And actually this election in a number of ridings, there’s a real possibility that aboriginal people will be elected as NDP [MPs],” he remarked.
