Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, expressed concern in the House of Commons today after the Auditor General released a scathing report that clearly demonstrates the previous Liberal government’s failure to address many important issues affecting Aboriginal Canadians.

Auditor General Sheila Fraser’s report states that the former Liberal government made “unsatisfactory progress” in implementing recommendations affecting First Nations people. The Audit focused on 37 recommendations made between 2000 and 2003 regarding issues such as economic development, housing on reserves, and health care.

While Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice referred to the report as a “sad and appalling indictment of 13 years of Liberal government inaction,” Cannan noted that the Conservative government is committed to doing better.
“We have succeeded in establishing a national drinking water strategy and have committed over $600 million for off-reserve and northern housing,” Cannan stated. “We have also approved the Indian Residential Schools Settlement agreement.”
In contrast to the previous Liberal government Cannan says the Conservative Government has made real progress.
“Canadians would rather our government take a measured approach, forego grand pronouncements and promises that amount to very little. They want a program that actually makes a difference,” said Cannan.

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