Manitoulin Expositor reports that First Nation leaders react positively to appointments made to panel

The Manitoulin Expositor reports that First Nation leaders have reacted positively to appointments made to an 11-person panel on Sept. 19. The panel will be in charge of implementing the recommendations made in a report that will increase Aboriginal representation on criminal and inquest juries. Former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci was commissioned to write the report in 2011. “I’m confident that this group, with input and advice from our First Nation partners, has the right mix of professional expertise and lived experience to help us find the practical solutions we need to enhance the representation of First Nation people on juries,” said Ontario Attorney General John Gerretsen in making the announcement. “I look forward to seeing progress from the committee very soon.” Acting Assembly of First Nations Ontario Regional Chief Patrick Madahbee said “It is our view that in light of the overarching notion of reconciliation, governments have an obligation to work with us to build respectful and transparent partnerships which produce equitable and tangible results.” He said it was essential that all participating parties maintain a high level of respect, fairness and transparency in the process and that First Nations support the development of meaningful and continuing remedial measures in an effort to achieve equity and justice for First Nations. “We are not interested in processes that are public relations ploys for the provincial government; we want genuine progress and fairness.”