Economic reconciliation or political opportunism? BC Conservatives under fire on Orange Shirt Day
The leader of the BC Conservative Party pledged to build bridges and promote economic reconciliation with First Nations on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a move Indigenous leaders slammed as “political opportunism.”
Flanked by Indigenous candidates and supporters on the shores of Cultus Lake in Chilliwack, John Rustad committed to providing clean water and housing on reserves and “going after” the federal government for costs, looking at a loan guarantee program, and turning over land.
“We are going to be looking at land strategically in terms of returning First Nations to unleash economic potential,” he said, using forestry as an example. “A key piece of that is the First Nations will be the landlords of that land – it will not be land that receives a double stumpage.”
Rustad struck a different tone this year than he did last year, when he ignited a firestorm of controversy after tweeting that Orange Shirt Day is a day to remember “what happens when the Canadian government thinks it's better at raising children than parents,” comparing residential schools to SOGI educational resources.
The former Liberal Indigenous affairs minister said government actions like the Sixties Scoop “had disastrous impacts both on First Nations people but particularly on families and individuals,” and committed to a closer relationship, should he form government after October’s election.
“It is high time First Nations have that opportunity to be able to engage economically, to be able to succeed and by doing that unleashing the full potential for all people in British Columbia – Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike,” Rustad said.
He did not take questions from reporters.
B.C. chiefs slam Rustad
Before Rustad outlined his vision for economic reconciliation, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs issued a public statement raising concerns about BC Conservative candidates questioning the stories of residential school survivors.
The president of the organization said he was deeply offended to see Rustad making a policy announcement on such a solemn national holiday.
“It’s political opportunism at its worst,” said Grand Chief Stewart Philip.
“When I heard about Mr. Rustad’s statement today, my first thought was ‘plagiarism,’” he went on to say. “How bizarre is it that he’s trotting out Premier Eby’s plans for the future that we’re (already) part of?”
Philip praised the NDP governments of David Eby and John Horgan for not only passing Canada’s first legislation in support of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but for establishing deep and meaningful relationship that have already benefited and improved First Nations communities.
He described Rustad as flip-flopping on UNDRIP – voting in favour of it while a BC Liberal, and now seeking to revoke it.
“The man speaks out of both sides of his mouth,” Philip said. “We want continuity, we want to continue to work with a government that’s stable, it’s focussed, and most importantly it’s committed to what DRIPA and the UN Declaration Act represents for all British Columbians in terms of coming together and working together.”
Philip's wife, Joan Philip, was elected as an MLA in a byelection last year, but other senior leaders in the UBCIC have spoken out with similar concerns.
Indigenous candidates stand by Rustad
While some of his candidates have come under fire, Rustad does have support within the First Nations community and two Indigenous Conservative candidates were with him on Monday.
“Both healing and change has not been easy and I know in our communities there’s a lot more work to do before we continue our journey taking the exciting and massive steps towards reconciliation,” said A’aliya Warbus, who’s running in the riding of Chilliwack-Cultus Lake.
Rustad appeared emotional as he told attendees the life expectancy of Indigenous British Columbians has dropped, and later committed to on-reserve drug treatment and supports.
“I’ve been that kid watching your kids pick between the lights and food,” said Chris Sankey, North Coast-Haida Gwaii Conservative candidate, who described himself as a residential school survivor.
He voiced his support for Rustad’s economic reconciliation vision.
“It’s about time we took our rightful place to be a part of Canada and not apart from Canada,” said Sankey. “It’s taken us so long to get here."
The other leaders on Orange Shirt Day
NDP Leader David Eby attended UBC's Truth and Reconciliation Day events in his riding with his family, where he listened to residential school survivors but did not address attendees himself.
Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau made a brief statement in Victoria reflecting on the dark history of residential schools and reiterating her support of survivors and advocating for more Indigenous leadership and representation in B.C., before attending the South Island powwow in Victoria.
"We acknowledge how intergenerational trauma still impacts far too many people today," she said. "These harms, this trauma, the terrible statistics are all the result of policy choices by governments. The policy choices we make today can either reconcile this history and steer us away from this pattern, or entrench denial and continue to deliver harm."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A turbulent campaign nears its finale as Americans choose between Harris and Trump
A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancour headed for its Election Day finale on Tuesday, as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.
New homeowners find skeleton in attic 15 years after previous occupant disappeared
Homeowners in France have discovered a skeleton in the attic of an outbuilding while undertaking renovation work.
Israel's Netanyahu dismisses defence minister in surprise announcement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed his popular defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement.
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
'Extreme disregard for the safety of others': Lamborghini driver gets prison sentence for 2021 Toronto crash
A mortgage broker who totalled his Lamborghini and left a passenger with life-altering injuries after trying to pass a Toronto streetcar at nearly three times the speed limit has been handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence.
'I’m not proud of it': Jason Kelce apologizes after video shows him spiking a cellphone after fan used a homophobic slur
Jason Kelce issued an apology during ESPN's 'Monday Night Countdown' after a viral video captured a 'heated moment' between the retired Super Bowl champion and a fan over the weekend.
Harris and Trump tie in Dixville Notch midnight vote to kick off Election Day
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. president Donald Trump have tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch, kicking off Election Day in one of the first places in the country to report its presidential preference.
Ukrainian troops have engaged with North Korean units for the 1st time in Russia, an official says
Ukrainian troops have for the first time engaged with North Korean units that were recently deployed to help Russia in the war with its neighbour, Ukraine's defence minister said Tuesday.