Can do ‘better job’ for First Nations kids, says Trudeau; advocates urge action
OTTAWA — More must be done to improve the lives of young people in First Nations communities, Justin Trudeau conceded Wednesday, even as he refused to acknowledge an outstanding human rights decision that his government has yet to honour.
The prime minister was asked why his Liberal government has yet to comply with compliance orders from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on the delivery of child welfare services on reserves.
No government has done more to repair the relationship with indigenous Canadians, replied Trudeau, who has indeed made a more conciliatory approach on aboriginal issues a cornerstone of his political identity.
“We need to do a better job of partnering with the provinces; we need … to do a better job around education, we need to do a better job around child and social services,” he told a news conference in Ottawa.