Self-government, accountability go hand-in-hand - Irwin

Page 5

Successful self-government and accountability go hand-in-hand, the federal minister of Indian Affairs told reporters on a nation-wide teleconference.

According to the framework agreement for self-government being developed in Manitoba, First Nations can only stray eight per cent over the limit of the proposed $500 million budget or the process grinds to a halt.

"Like with any province, once we've agreed on a global budget and the money is transferred, then they have to stay within that budget. It's not a black hole. There's a 10-year process and hopefully we can get within that process," said Minister Ron Irwin on the Feb. 23 conference call.

"So there's accountability within the framework agreement, there's accountability at the chief level, and with any self-government, and the accountability has to be with the First Nations people themselves.

"And if they see a chief or tribal council that is not staying within their budget, then it's up to them to address the problem and get rid of the chief and council and correct the situation."

Additional safeguards, such as ombudsmen, officials who investigate complaints against public authorities, simply represent another level of bureaucracy, he said.

"I feel it's more important we address the problem immediately and make sure that the people, including myself, who were hired to do their job and work for the people they are there to serve."

When asked how the federal government would respond to Aboriginal concerns if Quebec separates from Canada, Irwin would only say the government would back Natives.

"At this stage it's hypothetical and I don't want to throw gasoline on a fire that may or may not exist. But the Aboriginal people, at this stage, we're prepared to say, will have our full support if the referendum is a negative."

Irwin expressed typical candor when discussing the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People's report on suicide with members of Aboriginal media during the question-and-answer call. He prefers funnelling the commission's $60 million budget into housing, and agreed the report's information was not new.

"It's done by eminent people, it's a tool, fine. But my own feeling is that the suicide problem is part of a triangle. The top of the triangle is dignity and respect.

The bottom of the triangle is adequate housing, education, economic development and health. If you don't have this, the whole triangle is going to collapse.

"I look at it as a package and I don't need the Royal Commission to give me this advice," said Irwin, adding that meeting with Native leaders across Canada gave him insight into the situation.