Crown-First Nations Gathering
Notes for an address by
the Honourable Peter Penashue
President of the Privy Council and
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Closing Remarks
Crown-First Nations Gathering
Ottawa, Ontario
January 24, 2012
Check against delivery
Thank you all for attending. We had very productive meetings and we can all take a lot out of what was discussed today. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this gathering start to take shape as we continue building our strong relationships. Thank you everyone for the valuable input shared today.
I had the privilege of listening to many different discussions today and what I heard was clear agreement that it is time to make important changes to Canada's Indian Act. And our government is fully committed to working with First Nation leaders and stakeholders across the country to make key changes that will modernize this Act.
We also share a determination to strengthen the First Nations-Crown relationship and a willingness to cooperate with other groups to achieve our larger goal: to make sure that all First Nations people can participate fully in, and contribute to, Canada's social, economic and cultural prosperity.
Today builds on the momentum established by several recent developments: the Prime Minister's apology on behalf of all Canadians, the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Canada's endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In the Speech from the Throne, this government vowed to renew and deepen the relationship with Aboriginal peoples. At the Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa last month, National Chief Atleo called for a cooperative effort to "reset" the Crown-First Nation relationship. And the AFN and the Government of Canada continue to work together on the Canada-First Nations Joint Action Plan. As a Minister of the Crown and a First Nations person, I pledge to do my utmost to push for further progress.
I'm a strong believer, and from what I've heard, so are we all, in the power of working together with partners. This is the way forward if we are to achieve the success that First Nations aspire to. Partnerships are quite simply the best way of doing business; the tripartite agreements that we have discussed today have shown us this.
I also believe that we share a vision for the future, of prosperous, strong and self-sufficient First Nations well positioned for personal and economic success. The government and the National Chief also look forward to receiving the findings of the Education Panel. We see First Nations able to design and implement projects that meet the needs of their communities, and able to secure strong partnerships with governments, private companies, financial and educational institutions, and service agencies. We see all First Nations as part of Canada's enduring prosperity.
What we've accomplished today will help realize this vision. I'm convinced that several domestic and international trends provide us with an exceptional opportunity to advance the Crown-First Nations relationship. A large number of First Nations youth will come of age at the same time as a generation of baby boomers begins to retire. International demand for natural resources - particularly from a stable democratic country such as Canada - has never been greater. Large deposits of minerals, along with proven reserves of gas and oil, are located on and near First Nations communities.
To make the most of these trends, we must work together to address the barriers that prevent First Nations from participating readily in development projects. Some of the barriers relate to land tenure and regulations; others involve access to education and skills development. I'm convinced removing these barriers is absolutely necessary if we hope to achieve our larger goals.
The truth is that lands often play a crucial role in development. And recent improvements in land-claim and additions-to-reserve processes will increase the First Nations' land base. Lands, however, must serve communities' needs. I believe that the key to unlocking the potential of First Nations is finding ways to enable First Nations to leverage the inherent value of their lands.
Other barriers, such as access to commercial capital and skills training, must also be removed. And while the Government of Canada has taken steps to address these issues, much more needs to be done. We must identify and engage additional partners to help us remove all remaining barriers. This is the important work that must be completed to achieve our larger goals.
Today, we have acknowledged our shared past and considered how to strengthen the Crown-First Nations relationship. Now it is up to us to create our shared future - a brighter future characterized by partnership and collaboration. Each one of us has a duty to take what we've experienced here today back to our constituencies and work with them to move the relationship forward. We must consult broadly, listen closely and act boldly. We must forge ahead on behalf not only of First Nations peoples, but also of all Canadians. We must make the most of this opportunity.
Thank you