#TheVoterIsTheStory: Questions answered for Parry Sound-Muskoka voters
Will you eliminate the Third World within our borders?
PARRY SOUND — MUSKOKA — As part of our #TheVoterIsTheStory coverage, our profiled voters from across the riding each have the opportunity to pose a question to the candidates in this federal election.
Our first question comes from voter Heather Bailie who asks: What concrete solutions would a government headed by your party put in place to eliminate the Third World conditions within our borders that are our First Nations reserves? How will you give them safe drinking water, decent housing and food stability? How will you deal with the ridiculously high price of healthy food in the North?
Scott Aitchison — Conservative candidate:
Indigenous Affairs
“There is no doubt that governments of all stripes have done little to bring life on First Nations reserves up to the standards expected by all Canadians.
Of special note is the situation at Grassy Narrows where 90 per cent of the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation are still living with mercury poisoning.
Just spending money will not solve the problems. It is critical that government spending translates into meaningful results on the ground. Not only do we need to provide access to housing, health services and good drinking water, but we must take steps in partnership to create sustainable economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples.
A Conservative government will act to empower Indigenous communities to share in the wealth that Canada is so capable of creating.
Northern Issues
Nunavut and other areas of the North depend on expensive air and sealift delivery to receive fresh foods, non-perishable food items and everyday items such as diapers.
While the current government has provided subsidies for the delivery of some items, the addition of the carbon tax has eliminated the effect of this subsidy and is spiking up the cost of everything in Nunavut.
We will eliminate the carbon tax, eliminate the GST on heating fuel which of course is critical in the North, and provide other savings which can help lessen the effects of long distance food transportation.”
Trisha Cowie — Liberal candidate:
“I am a proud Anishinaabe kwe.
I believe one of the single most important documents of our time is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. The report provides Canada a way forward for reconciliation. We must implement the TRC calls to action to transform the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
With regard to safe drinking water, the government has ended 87 long-term boil water advisories on reserves. We are well on our way to ending all long-term boil water advisories by 2021. The government has also made significant investments in housing in First Nations communities. For First Nation’s housing on reserves alone, we have committed over $1 billion, with over 16,100 housing units being built, renovated or lots being serviced since the introduction of the 2016 budget. This has benefited over 443,000 people in 568 communities. At the same time, the government continues to refine its specific housing strategies for First Nation, Métis and Inuit.
Food security in the North is an ongoing struggle. The government has put in place new, permanent bilateral mechanisms with First Nation, Métis and Inuit leaders to identify priorities, co-develop policy and monitor progress. The Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee is working toward long-term solutions to provide food security in the north, this includes continued subsidization of products, investment in new infrastructure to lower delivery costs and continued monitoring of supply chains.”
Gord Miller — Green party candidate:
“The drinking water and sewage treatment problems in remote Indigenous communities are scandalous. I worked in the north for the Ontario MOE (Ministry of the Environment) for years and I know that we have the knowledge and capacity to deliver safe water if we want to. The federal government’s repeated failure to solve these problems is deplorable.
The housing problem is also solvable. But, solutions will take money and the recruitment and training of the Indigenous people themselves. There already are some Indigenous-owned contracting businesses with this capacity but we need to cultivate and support more such enterprises. We need to give the youth of these communities the rewards and the dignity of building and improving their own communities.
The food situation poses a different set of problems but there already are Indigenous-run co-operatives that are having some success in bulk buying and transportation initiatives. They also need our support.”
Tom Young — NDP:
“Both the Liberals and Conservatives haven’t delivered on justice for communities like Grassy Narrows! It’s been 50 years that the residents of Grassy Narrows have been sick and dying from the mercury poisoning and they still are today which our government is completely aware of and doing nothing!
If elected the NDP would act immediately! We would work with First Nations people to protect our environment and get clean drinking water. We would deliver services that First Nations people need and can count on. We would also make sure that every First Nations child grows up in a safe and healthy home and school.
Four years ago, the Liberals promised a national food plan and still four million Canadian households struggle to put food on the table and many of them are right here in Parry Sound Muskoka.
The NDP would work with farmers to get more affordable, local, healthy food on Canadian tables and tackle food waste with a national strategy to reduce waste. We would support Indigenous food sovereignty and make sure families in the north have access to healthy food. It’s so important to get clean drinking water to all Canadians! We’ll close the health gap and make sure First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples can get the treatment they need in their community.
We’re committed to ending systemic discrimination, supporting healing and restorative justice, Indigenous policing and justice for residential school survivors.
We will partner with Indigenous communities to build a new fiscal relationship, encourage economic development, create jobs and support Indigenous entrepreneurship and social enterprise.
It takes strong public services that families can count on. We’ll work to lift all drinking water advisories, fund fire and transportation services and partner with communities to fight climate change.
We’re committed to implementing Shannon’s Dream of equitable access to education by increasing funding to Indigenous education and bridging the gap to post-secondary.
We’re committed to tackling the mould crisis and ensuring First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have safe, healthy, and affordable housing.
We’re committed to taking immediate action to implement the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action, Jordan’s Principle and UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) to end discrimination against Indigenous children.
In partnership with Indigenous peoples, we’re committed to fully implementing UNDRIP, co-developing a National Action Plan for Reconciliation and doing our part to respect and advance Indigenous rights.
With the NDP’s plan for universal Pharmacare, affordable housing, affordable accessible child care and strong public services, it will be easier for all Canadian families to afford healthy food.”