OTTAWA — Leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) has pledged the party’s support for the priorities set out in a federal election document released today by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
“We worked closely with AFN delegates at COP 21 in 2015 to embed Indigenous rights into the Paris Agreement,” said Ms. May. “Now we’re in a climate emergency and many Indigenous communities are on the front lines of the climate crisis, with flooding and wildfires threatening their communities. In addition, many of those communities are still without safe drinking water. Like the Green Party, the AFN understands that we need to act now to deal with the climate emergency.
“Many of the priorities outlined in the document reflect policies emphasized in Mission: Possible - the Green Climate Action Plan. Greens fully support the establishment and maintenance of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. We support First Nations Inherent Treaty rights to develop and implement environmental regulations and Greens will ensure direct First Nations participation in federal environmental policy making.”
Lorraine Rekmans, Green Party Indigenous Affairs critic and candidate for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes stated: “Throughout history, the processes designed by successive governments in Canada have had the ultimate goal of extinguishing Indigenous rights, title and forcing Indigenous people to assimilate. These tactics are violations of international human rights law and the Green Party of Canada recognizes this isn’t the way forward if we are to reconcile. Greens are committed to UNDRIP, including provisions for free, prior and informed consent on all matters impacting Indigenous peoples. Any way forward will be based on a nation to nation basis.”
The Green Party recognizes the call by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) for Indigenous self-determination and acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples have stewarded lands and waters in their traditional territories for centuries. A Green government will respect Indigenous sovereignty over self-defined and self-governed lands – whether First Nations, Métis or Inuit – and will respect all rights that their title to land entails, including the right to stewardship.
# # #
For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Rosie Emery
Press Secretary
613-562-4916x206
rosie.emery@greenparty.ca