HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ON THE RIGHT TRACK
CAP ENDORESE REPORT, SUPPORTS IMMEDIATE REPEAL OF SECTION 67
{Ottawa, ON – January 28, 2008} It seems the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is not alone in its unending call to repeal section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act and grant the most basic of rights protection mechanisms to First Nations peoples living under the Indian Act.
In its tabling of a special report on the matter, the Canadian Human Rights Commission has echoed the position of the Congress. The Commission’s report, released today, affirmed CAP’s view that the time for repeal of section 67 is long past due. The CHRC recognizes the very real need for the government and Parliament to move forward in the effort to address the pressing need for rights protection for Canada’s First Nations citizens, without delay.
During its recent meetings with First Nations communities, the Canadian Human Rights Commission heard testimony from many, and particularly First Nations women, expressing a real need for access to rights protection measures. The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples heard the same fundamental message repeatedly when it conducted its own community meetings late last year.
The report makes a number of key recommendations, all of which the Congress wholeheartedly endorses. Among these were the immediate repeal of section 67, the inclusion of interpretive and non-derogation clauses in the legislation currently before Parliament, and an adequate transition period to bring the legislative measures into force.
The Commission also called for adequate funding to ensure the effective adoption of measures to protect human rights for Indian Act Bands.
The Congress offered its thanks and praise to the Commission in the tabling of its report. National Chief Patrick Brazeau complimented the report’s authors for their sensitive and pragmatic approach to the myriad, complex and sometimes divergent views expressed in the debate around this issue.
“We readily endorse the findings of the commission. We believe it gives real cause and creates impetus for all interested and affected parties to join together and begin discussion immediately on a sustainable and realistic workplan to realize the report’s recommendations,” said the National Chief.
“We also agree with the calls for adequate funding to ensure an effective transition. We’re committed to ensuring that all those that require funding for the transition receive the necessary investments. We are also calling for federal oversight to ensure that any investments in the protection of rights serve their intended purpose and bring benefit, to the greatest extent possible, to those who have been seeking redress mechanisms for years,” said Chief Brazeau.
Chief Brazeau concluded, “We need to move forward now and address what should have dealt with over thirty years ago when the Canadian Human Rights Act was first introduced. We’re calling on other national Aboriginal organizations, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Commission to convene discussions on priorities and processes for implementation of these fundamental measures”.
In its endorsement of the report by the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples acknowledged the Commission’s view that its findings will not be a panacea in addressing the long history of issues around Aboriginal dispossession, disadvantage and disempowerment.
In so doing, National Chief Brazeau was emphatic,” The recommendations in this report represent constructive measures that aim to move forward on this critical matter. It’s high time we moved beyond obstructive postures and positions and got down to working together to protect the rights of this country’s most disadvantaged. We’re prepared to work with anyone in any way we can to do just this. I’ve pledged to do so to do the grassroots people across this country and I won’t rest until we’ve made progress”.
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For further information, please contact:
Al Fleming
Director
Public Affairs
613-747-6022 (office)
613-867-8696 (mobile)
al@abo-peoples.org
