FELDSTED -- We are currently funding the legal costs of reconciliation, but in an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion that cannot be allowed to continue
The current state of federal government reconciliation efforts makes two things abundantly clear: The federal government has a serious and unavoidable conflict of interest. Indigenous Affairs departments spend over $14 billion annual including operating costs. That is a lot of government infrastructure and jobs to protect. There is no respect or trust on either side in the reconciliation process. Indigenous people are done talking. They want to see the action promised by this government and it is not taking place. The government (of Justin Trudeau) has squandered its credibility and cannot recover. The only rational way forward for this government is to create a neutral third-party Reconciliation Panel to oversee reconciliation efforts. A panel of six provincial appellate court judges, presided over by a federal appellate court judge, might be able to do the job required. The Reconciliation Panel must have the power ...