Thank you for your warm welcome. I am pleased and honoured to be here in Prince Edward Island today, to take part in an event that symbolizes yet another step forward in this government’s evolving relationship with First Nations – a positive and forward-looking step that will be empowering for First Nations in PEI and ultimately beneficial to all Canadians in this province.
I am very proud to be a part of today’s ceremony as we enter into a new partnership—a landmark in relations between the First Nations of Prince Edward Island, the province and the Government of Canada.
By signing this tripartite Partnership Agreement, we are confirming our joint commitment to a respectful and equitable relationship. A renewed relationship built on co-operation and trust. A relationship that will lead to enhanced social and economic opportunities for the First Nations in this province. As we sign this document, we are starting along the path to a better future.
I want to thank all of the parties who have worked to make this progress possible. Thanks to your joint efforts, this Partnership Agreement establishes a process to achieve tangible progress on priority issues that matter to First Nation citizens, such as education, health, child and family services, justice and economic development.
We want to begin working immediately on these priorities, because we want to see early results with the goal of improving the standards of living and quality of life for First Nations people in Prince Edward Island.
Through our results-driven approach, this government has already made significant progress in a number of crucial areas. For example, since taking office we have:
Announced a Specific Claims Action Plan, that will speed up the current process of settling specific claims and finally address the backlog of claims;
Signed and are implementing the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, achieving at long-last a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of the Indian Residential School System;
Put forth the First Nations Market Housing Fund investing and providing access to financing for home-ownership for First Nation communities;
Introduced Plan of Action for Drinking Water in First Nations Communities investing inwater treatment plant upgrades and construction ensuring there is a reliable supply of safe, clean drinking water for First Nations communities; and
Announced the new First Nations Infrastructure Fund which simplifies, quickens, and increases funding for First Nation infrastructure projects.
I strongly believe that, when we work together in partnership, we can create the conditions to effect significant, long-term change in First Nations communities. I am equally convinced that economic success and social progress depend on First Nations taking the lead in determining their destiny—identifying and implementing solutions to their challenges, and seizing opportunities that benefit their communities and our country as a whole.
The Partnership Agreement we are signing today is an important first step in empowering the First Nations of Prince Edward Island to achieve these goals.
While we celebrate this agreement today, we also know that there is work ahead of us. We must all be committed to working together in respect and partnership so that we can make real progress.
Based on the spirit of goodwill in evidence today, I am confident that the partners assembled here are up to this challenge. In signing this agreement, each and every one of us is clearly showing our willingness to work collaboratively for the common good.
I believe we will see great successes come from this tripartite process. I am proud to join hands with my partners as we move along this promising path.
Thank you.
