Statement - Minister Bennett appoints a Minister's Special Representative to engage with First Nations on Canada-US Border Crossing Issues

OTTAWA, Dec. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - The Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, issued the following statement today:

"In keeping with our government's commitment to building a nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples, I am pleased to appoint Mr. Fred Caron as Minister's Special Representative to lead an engagement with First Nations on Canada-US border crossing issues.

As Special Representative, Mr. Caron is mandated to engage with First Nations in border communities and with national First Nations organizations to explore their views concerning Canada-US border crossing challenges and their perspectives on potential solutions.

Mr. Caron's findings will inform the work of an interdepartmental steering committee responsible for developing a plan to identify sustainable solutions that facilitate improved mobility across the Canada-US border for of First Nations community members. These solutions will also balance the need to maintain national security and public safety.

It is imperative that the unique perspectives and ideas of First Nations in border communities are heard and included as we explore solutions. I look forward to sharing further details concerning this work in the future."

This statement is also available on the Internet at www.aandc.gc.ca.

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SOURCE Government of Canada

media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160