Provincial Elections 2018 - No need for slogans on First Nation issues, just political courage

WENDAKE, QC, Aug. 23, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - With the start of the provincial electoral campaign, the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) is reminding the political parties and especially their leaders that it will be of extreme vigilance and demand firm commitments on their part on priority issues that are all too often absent and ignored during electoral campaigns.

The first commitment required by the AFNQL is that the next Quebec government hold a meeting with First Nations Chiefs on their issues within a hundred days after its election.

"Nobody will deny the fact that in the rest of the country, First Nations issues have been subject to an unprecedented focus, in Quebec, succeeding governments seem to be in the habit of giving forward the responsibility of finding responses to our expectations", noted Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL. "We have a responsibility to listen and respond when we feel there is infringement on what we consider to be our most fundamental rights. It is a duty that we intend to fulfil throughout the campaign that is beginning", says Chief Picard.

"I don't think First Nations will be charmed by slogans when it comes to their issues. They just want a government with the political courage to move into action", insists the Chief of AFNQL, who intends to send in the coming days, a letter to each political party detailing the concrete commitments expected of the next government.

The implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Quebec, cannabis legalization, public security, revenue sharing, the Viens Commission and other issues are just a few examples where a real and profound change is required on the part of the provincial government to come to a true relationship between First Nations and Quebec.

About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL.

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador

Alain Garon, [email protected], Communications Officer, Cell.: [phone]