The provincial government is being asked to set up a Standing Committee on Indigenous Relations.
Independent MPP Randy Hillier introduced a private member’s bill at Queen’s Park yesterday.
“It is past time that we create a standing committee on Indigenous relations in this House, a standing committee where Indigenous peoples may be heard, policies examined and deliberated and solutions found,” says Hillier.
Indigenous Affairs minister Greg Rickford says there are some valid concerns raised in the private member’s bill but adds his government is consulting aboriginal leaders more than any other government.
“I can say that this government at every turn, as I mentioned in a previous response, has taken the opportunities available to us to work directly with Indigenous communities on major policy positions and economic development. We continue to be hopeful that this relationship will be ongoing,” says Rickford.
Second reading of the bill will take place next month.
