Canada taking 'bold steps' on aboriginal issues, Strahl tells UN

The Conservative government has taken unprecedented steps in protecting aboriginal human rights and improving the quality of life of indigenous peoples in Canada, Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl said Thursday at the United Nations.

"Aboriginal rights are not ignored" in Canada, Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl told reporters Thursday at United Nations headquarters in New York. He made his comments despite criticism at the international body that Canada has abandoned support for aboriginal issues on the world stage.

Strahl's visit to UN headquarters in New York comes amid lingering bitterness over Canada's vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples last fall.

The non-binding declaration, which sets out global human rights standards for indigenous populations, was easily approved by the UN General Assembly in New York — with only Canada, New Zealand, the United States and Australia dissenting. Eleven countries abstained.

Australia has since changed its mind and supported the declaration.

Speaking to reporters, Strahl cited achievements such as the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and the imminent launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission examining decades of abuse of aboriginal children at the federally funded schools, as well as an expected apology this spring from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Strahl also pointed to the Tory government's acceleration of settlements under the land claims tribunal, and newly signed agreements with several First Nations on education and the role of aboriginal peoples in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

"Never before has Canada taken such bold steps," he said. "Our government is committed to delivering real and measurable results, and since coming to office two years ago we have done just that."

Aboriginal rights not ignored, says Strahl

Strahl has said Canada opposed the declaration because it lacks clear guidance for implementation and conflicts with the existing Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which the government believes already protects the rights of aboriginals.

"Aboriginal rights are not ignored," he said. "Aboriginal rights are enshrined in the Constitution."

During debate over the declaration, Canadian representatives at the UN expressed significant concerns over the declaration's wording on provisions addressing lands and resources, as well as another article calling on states to obtain prior informed consent with indigenous groups before enacting new laws or administrative measures.

"Frankly, I think there's a real need to see the concrete results, rather than just seeing something aspirational," Strahl said Thursday.

But despite Strahl's positive message of supporting First Nations in Canada, the minister's office refused to let any aboriginal representatives from Canada sit inside the press conference room. The First Nations chiefs were turned away at the door and had to watch Strahl speak on a TV monitor outside, the CBC's Neil Herland reported.

But Strahl defended excluding the representatives, saying he had spoken with them before the sparsely attended press conference, which he noted was an event for accredited journalists.

"In many meetings I've had with First Nations leaders, journalists aren't welcome," Strahl added.