Yukon First Nations questions get answers from most federal candidates

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations, Bill S-6, self-government, and missing and murdered indigenous women are key issues in the federal election for the Council of Yukon First Nations, and itsent questionsto Yukon's candidates to find out where they stand on them.

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"We take great interest in the federal election," the questionnaire states. "We believe it is of utmost importance that our Citizens have answersto questions that are relevant to us, as First Nations, to make an informed decision."

The questions were senton Sept. 8, and candidates were asked to respond within a week. Nine days later, theNDP's Melissa Atkinson, Liberal Larry Bagnell and Green candidate Frank De Jonghad submitted their answers, but Conservative candidate Ryan Leef had not.

NDP response

NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson says an NDP government would immediately repeal "undemocratic"Bill S-6, which she says "will bring further uncertainty and harm to Yukon's economy."

She also says her party will ensure reliable long-term funding for Yukon First Nations, and address violence against aboriginal women with expanded access to shelters and transition houses.

Atkinson also says she will prioritizeimplementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and her party will establish an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

• Read the full response fromNDP candidateMelissa Atkinsonhere

Liberal response

Liberal candidate LarryBagnell says his party will also establish an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, and implement a Federal Reconciliation Frameworkin response to the TRC report. He also says the Liberals would repeal the "four offending amendments" to Bill S-6.

Bagnellalso says a Liberal government would ensure the Kelowna Accord an agreement reached between First Nations and Paul Martin'sLiberal government, later abandoned by Stephen Harper's Conservative government is embraced and implemented, to make up for "10 long, lost years."

Bagnell says his party would review any legislation "unilaterally imposed on Indigenous Peoples," and rescind any deemed unacceptable.

• Read the full response from Liberal candidateLarry Bagnellhere

Green response

Frank De Jong of the Green Party also wants to repeal those "reprehensible parts of Bill S-6," and launch a national inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women. He says the Greens would support full implementation of all the recommendations of the TRC.

De Jong says Greens will work to settle land claims, and establish self-government agreements. His party would also invest in traditional language education, and remove the post-secondary funding cap for First Nations students.

• Read the full response from Green Party candidate Frank De Jong here