Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde says aboriginal issues must be “front and centre” for all parties in the upcoming federal election, expected to take place in October.
Mobilizing the vote among First Nations is top of the agenda as leaders and youth from across Canada gather in Montreal for the 36th First Nations Annual General Assembly starting Tuesday.
If First Nations people exercise their right to vote, he says, they can significantly influence the outcome in at least 51 ridings across Canada. And the effect could extend even further, as major political parties would be under pressure to feature aboriginal issues in their platforms.
“We have to harness that political power because members of parliament running, if they know that First Nations people don’t vote, they don’t really care about our issues,” Bellegarde told CTV’s Canada AM early Tuesday.
“We’re saying, this time, we’re going to make a difference.”
Bellegarde will open the meeting with a keynote speech. As well, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair are both scheduled to address the assembly on Tuesday.
Bellegarde said working with the federal government has been a “work in progress,” but that First Nations group will work with any government to build partnerships and relationships.
“It’s all about getting rid of the quality of life gap that exists between First Nations people and the rest of Canadian society,” Bellegarde said, adding First Nations communities need better education, training and housing as well as proper access to potable water.
Canada should be investing in young First Nations men and women, which Bellegarde said is currently the fastest-growing segment of population.
