Aboriginal People Responsible to Raise Selves Out of Poverty, Conservative Says

When April Charleson, a chief of the Hesquiaht First Nation, described some of her community's challenges with poverty at an all candidates meeting, Conservative candidate and former Aboriginal Affairs minister John Duncan responded that she shouldn't expect help from Ottawa.

"We're struggling. We're poor," Charleson said, describing her community on the west coast of Vancouver Island, about an hour by boat northwest from Tofino. The population is spread out and not on the hydro grid.

Federal assistance rates are tied to provincial welfare rates that have been frozen since 2007, she said. The few hundred dollars people receive each month quickly disappear when it costs a minimum of $250 to charter a boat to get to a place where groceries are available, she said.

John Duncan's Resignation Met With First Nations Leaders' Cynicism

TORONTO - The surprise resignation of Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan is being met with raised eyebrows among some First Nations leaders, who call it a diversion as aboriginal issues gain momentum on the national stage.

Isadore Day, Chief of the Serpent River First Nation in Ontario, said Duncan's decision came at a convenient time for the Conservative government, which is under mounting pressure from aboriginal groups to address treaty rights and other issues.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan resigns over inappropriate letter

Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan has resigned from cabinet for writing an inappropriate letter to the Tax Court of Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement Friday confirming the decision.

“I would like to thank Mr. Duncan for his many contributions as Minister and for his service to the people of Canada. Mr. Duncan will continue to serve as the member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North in the House of Commons,” Mr. Harper said.

The Prime Minister said Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore will serve as the acting Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development until a new minister is named.

Mr. Duncan released a statement explaining his decision.

“In June of 2011 I wrote a character reference letter to the Tax Court of Canada on behalf of an individual to whom my constituency staff was providing casework assistance on a Canada Revenue Agency matter,” he says in the statement.

“While the letter was written with honourable intentions, I realize that it was not appropriate for me, as a Minister of the Crown, to write to the Tax Court. I have therefore offered my resignation as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to the Prime Minister, which he has accepted,” he said.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and the consequences they have brought. It has been an honour to serve in the Cabinet and I thank the Prime Minister for placing his confidence in me on this most important file. I have every confidence that the Government will reach its goal of improving the lives of Aboriginal peoples across our country.”

Last month Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson ruled Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and two parliamentary secretaries – Eve Adams and Colin Carrie – all acted improperly in writing letters to the CRTC in support of constituents who were competing for a Toronto radio licence.

The Prime Minister did not announce any disciplinary action in those cases.

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Source: theglobeandmail.com
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Not all Native land claims face final offer, Aboriginal Affairs minister says

OTTAWA — The federal government is preparing to make final cash offers to several First Nations who, in some cases, have been in land-claim negotiations with Ottawa for years.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan told First Nations representatives on Tuesday that negotiations would continue in some of the hundreds of outstanding land-claim cases.

A department spokeswoman echoed the Minister, saying the government is working to reach settlements within a three-year time frame wherever possible. “However, in cases where Canada feels it has enough information to make a fair and reasonable settlement offer, it is proceeding to do so,” Madalina Carlea said.