Images of mouldy housing and stories of Third World conditions on sa国际传媒 First Nations reserves, highlighted in a recent sa国际传媒 series, underline the need for sa国际传媒 to protect the rights of First Nations, says Victoria New Democrat MP Denise Savoie.
On Thursday, Savoie will reintroduce a private member's bill in the House of Commons that would require the federal government to "take all measures necessary" to ensure that Canadian laws are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
If adopted, it would provide a way for MPs to receive annual reports from government on progress made on aboriginal issues, Savoie said. "We have raised the issue of [native] housing several times in the House. This would provide a mechanism for the minister to report and be accountable," she said.
However, Savoie admitted that, like most private member's bills, it is unlikely to get to the debate stage. Savoie previously introduced a similar bill, but it died on the order paper with the last election call.
The UN declaration on the rights of indigenous people was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007, but sa国际传媒, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand -- all countries with sizable aboriginal populations -- voted against it.
It contains 46 articles that touch on everything from the right to self-government to the right of indigenous people to practise their traditions and control their educational systems, and includes the right to improvement of economic and social conditions, including housing.
"sa国际传媒 has internationally been singled out on this issue," said Savoie, who added she has visited reserves where she was horrified at the poor conditions.
"I was scandalized and ashamed that this is sa国际传媒. It was shocking.
"It was not just 13 people living in a very small house, not just the lack of housing, but the mould growing visibly on the walls and the lack of potable water. Just the basics that we think of as being the standard in sa国际传媒."
John Duncan, Vancouver Island North MP and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, said Savoie's motion would have little concrete effect even if it passed.
"She is bringing attention to what she views as a wedge issue because it has been the government's position, and the Liberal government before us, that this is a problematic UN resolution," he said. "It does not balance the rights of indigenous people with the rights of others."
Aboriginal rights are already protected under the Constitution, Duncan said.
Last Thursday, the federal government announced it will spend $50 million to ease the "chronic shortage" of adequate housing on First Nations reserves in sa国际传媒. Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl also agreed to work with First Nations on a joint housing plan.
The money will come from $400 million set aside for on-reserve housing in the recent federal budget. The federal government targeted the money for new social-housing projects as well as repairs to existing social housing over the next two years.
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