• Nothing aboriginals and taxpayers haven't heard before
  
• Private property rights will improve living conditions on reserves

CALGARY: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation's Centre for Aboriginal Policy Change (the Centre) responded today to various agreements the federal government signed with aboriginal leaders at the Liberal cabinet retreat.

The agreements signed with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council, Native Women's Association of Canada and Congress of Aboriginal Peoples promise the government will no longer develop aboriginal policies without aboriginal input.

"The agreements set out no timelines or cash. All they do is drag out talks on how to change a broken system rather than actually fixing the system," said the Centre's director Tanis Fiss.

"Once again aboriginals and taxpayers are hearing how a new relationship has blossomed that will foster better collaboration and results. This is the same rhetoric we heard when the federal government unveiled its Gathering Strength Initiative in 1998. The agreements will change little," continued Tanis Fiss.

The failed First Nations Governance Act, designed to improve accountability on native reserves, was a result of the Gathering Strength Initiative.

In the Throne Speech the Martin government promised to improve living conditions on native reserves. Earlier this year Indian Affairs Minister Andy Scott stated the government was keen to explore the idea of implementing private property rights on reserves as a way to improve living conditions. Talks on how to improve living conditions on reserves will continue until the first ministers meeting this fall.

"What is needed is action, not more talk. If the federal government were serious about improving living conditions on reserves they would fast-track private property ownership on reserves. The government and native communities should begin to pilot systems of private property on reserves now, not wait for more talks," concluded Fiss.