[IPSM] 2004 Ottawa in Review

[shelly]

Sunday, January 09, 2005 

2004 Ottawa in Review - From the 'Eastern Door'

by Russell Diabo

It has been just over one year since Paul Martin was sworn in as Canada's Prime Minister on December 12, 2003. The 'swearing-in' began with a First Nations 'cleansing ceremony'. So right from the beginning Paul Martin has used First Nation ceremonies to symbolize that 'Aboriginal' issues are a priority for his government. How has Paul Martin fared in his first year as Prime Minister?

Dec. 2003 - Paul Martin re-organizes the federal government to place a renewed emphasis on 'Aboriginal' issues. A new position of 'Aboriginal Advisor' is named in the Prime Ministers' Office; A new position of Parliamentary Secretary on Aboriginal Affairs is created (and eliminated after the federal election); A new Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs is created, which is Chaired by Paul Martin; and a new Aboriginal Secretariat is created in the Privy Council Office (centre of government).

Feb. 2004 - Throne Speech is announced outlining the Martin government's priorities on social policy, which includes a section on improving the quality of life for "Aboriginal Canadians". 

Feb. 2004 - Health Canada announces that controversial requirement for First Nation members signing of 'consent forms' is being dropped.

Feb. 2004 - Andy Mitchell, Minister of Indian Affairs, announces the Martin government will proceed to implement the Chrétien/Nault (Bill C-6) "Specific Claims Resolution Centre", which sets up a one sided process for 'specific claims' involving Indian lands and monies. The specific claims' are capped at $10 million per claim by the federal law.

Feb. 2004 - Federal Budget is announced and Aboriginal funding is included, which is about $9 billion each year. The Federal Budget also includes $5.5 million for the next two years and $5 million a year after that to fund the Chrétien/Nault "First Nations Governance Centre", which was established to implement to goals of the failed "First Nations Governance Act".

Mar. 2004 - Martin government re-introduces the Chrétien/Nault 'Fiscal Institutions' bill back into Parliament (Bill C-23) to promote property taxation on-Reserve as "own source revenue".

Apr. 2004 - Paul Martin convenes a Canada-Aboriginal Roundtable to establish a "new relationship" between Liberal Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, himself and representatives of the five National Aboriginal Organizations purporting to represent Indians, Inuit, Métis, Urban Aboriginals and Women. 

May 2004 - Paul Martin calls a federal election and Liberal Part of Canada issues an Aboriginal Platform based on their "quality of life" agenda. The Liberal priorities during the campaign are: health care, childcare, cities and Aboriginal "quality of life" issues.

June 2004 - The federal election ends with a minority Liberal government in place.

July 2004 - Paul Martin announces his post-election Cabinet, Andy Scott is named not only the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, but he is also responsible for Métis issues. The position of Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs to the Prime Minister is dropped.

Sept. 2004 - Paul Martin Chaired a Special Meeting between First Ministers' and National Aboriginal Leaders Meeting on Aboriginal Health issues and an Accord is signed to develop a "blueprint" for improving Aboriginal health, although details of the plan are vague.

Oct. 2004 - A new Throne Speech is announced outlining the Martin government's priorities, but during the debates in the House of Commons, the Liberal Party has to make concession to the opposition parties to avoid a vote of non-confidence. Some of the priorities are amended or added to as a result if the negotiations between parties. The renewed section on "Aboriginal-Canadians" remains in place.

Nov. 2004 - The Martin government resumes its Canada-Aboriginal Roundtable process started in 

April 2004, and sectoral Policy Roundtables are set up on the issues of: health, lifelong learning, housing, economic opportunities, negotiations and accountability/Aboriginal Report Card. The target of February 2005, is set for the results of the process to be considered by the Martin government for future policy and/or budget decisions.

Nov. 2004 - The Martin government reintroduces for a second time the Chrétien/Nault "Fiscal Institutions" Bill (now Bill C-20) to promote property tax on-Reserve as "own source revenue", while claiming that it will be "optional" legislation for First Nations, despite the existing federal "self-government" policy encouraging taxation of First Nations.

Dec. 2004 - The Martin government gets all party support to push through Bill C-20 "An Act to Provide for Real Property Taxation Powers for First Nations". The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs refuses to hear from First Nation representatives opposed to the legislation. Bill C-20 is passed through the House of Commons and is now before the Senate of Canada.

These are some of the highlights of 2004, the first year of Paul Martin's government. A lof the trends indicate that the coming year appears to have a lot more in store for First Nations, which includes the Haudenosaunee Nations and communities.
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