Statement made on 21 June 2007 by Senator Charlie Watt
Hon. Charlie Watt:
Honourable senators, I am happy to rise on National Aboriginal Day. We are talking about injustices to the Aboriginal people across the country. Several attempts have taken place over the years to correct those injustices. From time to time, I have participated in those efforts.
My questions are for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. First, various programs that were cut related to matters that are quite important to us, such as the $155 million for the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures. Down the road, will we be able to revisit that funding?
Second, $17.7 million was removed from adult training and literacy skills training programs widely used by Aboriginal people. These were important programs and will be missed a great deal by the Aboriginal people.
My third question is also very important to the Aboriginal people of this country and to the country as a whole. It concerns the $5.6 million that was taken from the Law Commission of Canada for the study of Aboriginal legal traditions and how to implement them into the mainstream justice system.
Could I have an answer to those questions, minister? I know for a fact these programs are not contained in the budget implementation bill, but there is no reason why we cannot revisit those important programs. Will we ever see them again? If the honourable leader cannot give a precise answer, because it is hard to give a clear answer as to whether or not they will be resurrected, would she be able to make recommendations to ensure that those programs, which are important to us, will be restored?
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