Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde says aboriginal issues must be 鈥渇ront and centre鈥� for all parties in the upcoming federal election, expected to take place in October.
Mobilizing the vote among First Nations is top of the agenda as leaders and youth from across Canada gather in Montreal for the 36th First Nations Annual General Assembly starting Tuesday.
If First Nations people exercise their right to vote, he says, they can significantly influence the outcome in at least 51 ridings across Canada. And the effect could extend even further, as major political parties would be under pressure to feature aboriginal issues in their platforms.
鈥淲e have to harness that political power because members of parliament running, if they know that First Nations people don鈥檛 vote, they don鈥檛 really care about our issues,鈥� Bellegarde told CTV鈥檚 Canada AM early Tuesday.
鈥淲e鈥檙e saying, this time, we鈥檙e going to make a difference.鈥�
Bellegarde will open the meeting with a keynote speech. As well, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair are both scheduled to address the assembly on Tuesday.
Bellegarde said working with the federal government has been a 鈥渨ork in progress,鈥� but that First Nations group will work with any government to build partnerships and relationships.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all about getting rid of the quality of life gap that exists between First Nations people and the rest of Canadian society,鈥� Bellegarde said, adding First Nations communities need better education, training and housing as well as proper access to potable water.
Canada should be investing in young First Nations men and women, which Bellegarde said is currently the fastest-growing segment of population.
