Statement made on 21 June 2011 by Senator Charlie Watt
Hon. Charlie Watt:
Honourable senators, bear with me.
[Editor's Note: Senator Watt spoke in Inuktitut.]
Honourable senators, I rise today to draw attention to National Aboriginal Day in Canada, which is June 21 this year. The Canadian Constitution recognizes our Aboriginal peoples as Indians, First Nations, Metis and Inuit.
The date for National Aboriginal Day was proclaimed by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc in 1996 as a way to celebrate the culture and heritage of our peoples as the first inhabitants of this land and to acknowledge their contribution to this great country.
Now that the government is moving forward with its mandate, I am pleased that in the Throne Speech it committed to focusing on Aboriginal issues. I look forward to proposing innovative tax reform for our northern communities, which would increase the purchasing power of northern residents, presently at approximately 27 per cent compared to that of people who do not live in the North.
Tax reform is needed, combined with more housing and storage facilities and better educational opportunities. This should include funding for Inuit language television programming. All of it would be a step in the right direction to begin to lessen the financial burden that currently creates the poverty and resulting social issues faced in northern communities, particularly Inuit communities.
This government has also committed itself to major crime bill reforms. I would hope that we will examine the issue of Aboriginal justice and implementing programs and initiatives that could potentially lower the Aboriginal population in our prisons.
Finally, I look forward to welcoming more Aboriginal employees in the Senate, House of Commons and Library of Parliament as a part of the government's commitment to fair representation and garnering better understanding, which was undertaken by this government.
Nakurmiik.