OTTAWA - Native leaders and opposition MPs are fuming over a Conservative push for contentious changes to human rights law.
The Tories have taken the rare step of recalling 12 MPs to Ottawa in mid-summer for what could be a steamy meeting Thursday of the Commons all-party aboriginal affairs committee. "It's definitely not sowing any good will," said NDP native-affairs critic and committee member Jean Crowder from her British Columbia riding.
"I can only speak for myself, but I can't imagine anybody else is any happier than I am with being recalled to Ottawa when we've got work at home to do."
At issue is a bill that would allow First Nation members to launch human-rights complaints against band councils or Ottawa. The Conservatives want to repeal a section of the Canadian Human Rights Act that has barred such complaints since the legislation was passed in 1977.
What was supposed to be a temporary exemption to allow bands to prepare was never removed.
The minority government needs opposition party support to move the bill forward at Thursday's meeting, but all three - the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois - say they'll block it.
Canada's major native political groups - and several chiefs - told the committee they are all in favour of rights protection for their people. But they also decried in near unison what they said was a rushed process without any meaningful chance to give input.
"We are strong supporters of human rights," said Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, in a statement Tuesday.
"But our people still haven't been properly consulted by the federal government about the proposed legislation. People in First Nations communities need time to prepare ... particularly because it will add new costs for First Nations governments, many of which are already under-resourced."
The Conservatives proposed Tuesday extending to 18 months from six months the transition period before the new law would apply to band councils. It would immediately apply to the federal government if passed.
But the news release said nothing about a renewed, more formal consultation of First Nations. Opposition members on the aboriginal affairs committee passed a motion in June calling for a 10-month period of such talks.
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice has said the issue has been discussed off and on for 30 years.
"The injustice of denying First Nations basic human-rights protections cannot continue," he said Tuesday in the release.
"I urge the parties to pass (the bill) without further delay."
Prentice was on vacation and not available for further comment.
His parliamentary secretary, committee member Rod Bruinooge, said the time for talk has passed.
Bruinooge was one of four Tory committee members who wrote to Conservative chairman Colin Mayes asking that the committee be recalled.
"We've heard from all the groups over the last 30 years and have heard many perspectives."
Asked whether the Conservatives would increase funding to help bands cope with what could be a flood of complaints over everything from housing to education, Bruinooge said: "I don't think that we have any, at this point, assessment as to what the impact will be.
"But I think the most important thing is, firstly, extending the Canadian Human Rights Act to individuals on reserve. And as we proceed through time, we will see what other efforts need to be made."
