Idle no more, but in what direction is Poilievre running on Indigenous policy?
SPPA Distinguished Research Professor and Chancellor鈥檚 Professor Emerita Frances Abele, and SPPA Research Fellow Catherine MacQuarrie published an opinion piece in discussing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre鈥檚 comments on Indigenous issues, titled
Pierre Poilievre is right: Indigenous communities are more successful when they can determine their own futures. This is not something for a federal government to ‘give.’ The hard work of reconciliation is making sure Indigenous Peoples have the right support to do the job themselves.
The Hill Times
Opinion | By Frances Abele-Catherine MacQuarrie
November 1, 2023
The reconciliation agenda appears to be rapidly sliding down the list of Liberal priorities. While it is far too early to plan for a Conservative victory in the next federal election, what if they do come to power? In particular, what will this mean for Indigenous-Crown relations, and the lives of First Nation, Inuit, and M茅tis citizens? What sound policies is Pierre Poilievre promising as a possible future prime minister?
Poilievre says he is 鈥渓istening and learning.鈥 Perhaps as a result, his recent statements are more sophisticated and less overtly discriminatory than in 2008 when he said residential school survivors needed to 鈥渓earn the value of hard work鈥 instead of being compensated for years of abuse.
Frances Abele is distinguished research professor and chancellor鈥檚 professor emerita in the school of public policy and administration at 杏吧原创 University. Catherine MacQuarrie is a fellow of the school of public policy and administration. Both are part of the Rebuilding First Nations Governance Project.