ELECTION NOTEBOOK: NDP supports Recognition Act

NDP leader Carole James announces her party's campaign platform, including $3
billion in new debt to support government programs and construct roads,
hospitals and low-income housing.
Mario Bartel/Black Press
By Tom Fletcher - BC Local News


Published: April 14, 2009 11:00 AM
Updated: April 14, 2009 11:50 AM

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/42983172.html
NDP leader Carole James has formally endorsed the B.C. Liberal proposal to
recognize aboriginal rights and title across the province.

The NDP election platform document commits to achieve "respect, recognition and
accommodation of aboriginal title and rights in developing government agreements
and treaties, ending court actions by government that have sought to deny such
title and rights and broadening the range of tools available to include
legislation and resources."

That's similar to the proposed Recognition and Reconciliation Act, which the
government pulled back from the spring legislative session after industry
objected to its vaguely defined aim of recognizing rights and title in all
provincial legislation. A discussion paper endorsed by government and aboriginal
leaders calls for passing the act, and then grouping B.C.'s roughly 200
aboriginal groups into two dozen "Indigenous Nations" that would supervise
consultation and accommodation of rights and title in development and social
services.

The NDP platform also pledges greater independence for the B.C. Treaty
Commission, and pressing the federal government to support the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples "to help guide the policies of
the B.C. government."


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