By paNOW

FSIN responds to minister resignation

Feb 17, 2013 | 1:17 AM

The chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) said he was surprised to learn the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs resigned yesterday.

“But seeing the history of why he resigned, you can understand that,” said Chief Perry Bellegarde.

John Duncan stepped down as minister because he contacted a tax court judge on behalf of a constituent back in 2011. Duncan said he now realizes it wasn’t the right thing to do.

Not much has changed or moved under Duncan’s leadership, Bellegarde said.

“There’s still the backlog on housing, there’s still the huge disparity in education funding levels in the community, there’s still a lot of poverty amongst our people.”

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The chief said bringing in a new minister could start a fresh dialogue with the federal government.

“I want to see a minister now that’s got a mandate from cabinet, with support from the Prime Minister’s office, to implement section 35 of Canada’s constitution which recognizes existing aboriginal treaty rights,” Bellegarde said.

Duncan will stay on as an MP for his Vancouver Island riding but his cabinet duties will be taken up temporarily by Heritage Minister James Moore.

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