Over the past few weeks, Canadians have been listening to the “pundits” on both sides of the equation on the issue of “Idle No More”

Canadians are passionate about social justice issues, however, the debate appears somehow lop sided. In talking to many of my colleagues and friends, there is either a blame game, or frustration; frustration at finding the right solution.

Recently I watched a documentary “3rd World Canada”. It was an eye opener – for it showed that the southerners have no clue what is happening in the northern part of our country. It is too easy to say, this is really not our problem. If one listens to the concerns of our fellow Canadians – the Aboriginal people, they too want a solution. They want the governments to work with them in finding a solution. They do not want a top down edict – one which the Dept of Indian Affairs seems to give them.

It is amazing to see the lack of accountability in the Department. Having been on Public Accounts, I was appalled at the responses we received from the Deputy Ministers. It was a revolving door and hence no Deputy Minister could be pinned down to take action.

THE QUESTION THEREFORE: WHO IS REALLY ACCOUNTABLE? HOW SHOULD THE ISSUE OF GOVERNANCE BE ADDRESSED?

One practical approach was presented by Hon. Paul Martin – The Kelowna Accord. This Accord was agreed upon after consultations with the Aboriginal communities. It may not have been a hundred percent fool proof, but it was a start. Instead of working with the communities to find common ground in improving the lives of our northern fellow citizens, the government of the day decided to go on an ideological rant; hence the current state of affairs.

But my focus is not on Idle No More – it is on us Canadians giving a blind eye to the lack of
accountability, governance and transparency in the current government.

Where was the hue and cry when Minister Clement wasted away billions of dollars on oornamental gazebos and sidewalks-to-nowhere in Muskoka, or Bev Oda’s abusing tax payers dollars like it is her “entitlement” and ditto with, Jason Kenney’s limousines, Peter MacKay’s helicopter rides to fishing, etc. And the F-35 fiasco – billions of dollars being spent on aircrafts that will not perform the function they are supposed to do. Even when the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the Auditor-General and the private firm of KPMG have all exposed the fiscal incompetence, Canadians shrugged it off. Quite Amazing – what are
we thinking!!!!

Currently we have the reports of Julian Fantino’s misuse of government websites and the bullying of detractors, and Jim Flaherty’s meddling at the CRTC. Where is Canadian outrage?

How then is the Aboriginal issue regarded as mismanagement by aboriginals? Who created residential schools, who stole land from the aboriginals? Who pushed them to the north?

We cannot wipe out historical wrongs – we need to work with our fellow Canadians, the first people and bring about an equitable solution. People in Canada cannot have living conditions that are worse than those in the refugee camps in Kenya.

The next article will be on Governance and the Not-for-Profit Sector. Do we really need 20 agencies servicing different communities within a 5 mile radius? Is this the best way to alleviate poverty, enhance economic security, etc?

Yasmin Ratansi is the former MP from Don Valley East and Principal at Ethical Edge