A vote for the NDP restores integrity in government

WINNIPEG - Jack Layton was in Winnipeg today attending a First Nations drumming ceremony to honour MP and candidate Pat Martin.  Martin was thanked for his work on behalf of Aboriginal people, in particular his fight to defeat the First Nations Governance Act. Layton outlined the key elements of the NDP's platform for Aboriginal people. 

The NDP would:  a.. Convene a First Ministers' Meeting to discuss the recommendations of the RoyalCommission on Aboriginal Peoples which the Liberal government shelved and forgoteight years ago;

  b.. Settle land claims to foster economic development in on-reserve communitiesand encouraging work partnerships between the business community and Aboriginalpeople;

  c.. Make Aboriginal communities a priority for affordable housing andinfrastructure programs to provide clean water;

   d.. Provide adequate funding, staffing and investment in First Nations health care;

  e.. Expand on the proven success of traditional Aboriginal justice in the criminaljustice system; and

  f.. Develop a national strategy to address the needs of urban Aboriginal people. "When politicians break faith with Canadians, it doesn't matter if it's through scandals, broken promises or hidden agendas. The damage is just as serious either way," Layton said."I am asking Canadians to vote NDP in this election and help us restore integrity and trust to government."-30-For more information please contact:Karl Belanger, Press Secretary to Jack Layton - (613) 720-6463;Jeff Ferrier, Press Secretary - (613) 327-9418.