Calgary, (June 3, l996)-- The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Ronald A. Irwin, the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Mayor John Les, and the Chairman of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board, Chief Clarence T. (Manny) Jules, today announced the establishment of a Centre for Excellence in Municipal-Aboriginal Relations.
The announcement was made this morning during the annual conference of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Calgary.
The Centre is a joint initiative by the Indian Taxation Advisory Board (ITAB) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The Centre for Municipal-Aboriginal Relations is designed to offer municipal and Aboriginal governments the opportunity to access best practices in intergovernmental relations at the local level.
"A Centre devoted to municipal-Aboriginal relations provides a good vehicle to better inform municipal and Aboriginal representatives of each other's constituents," Minister Irwin said. "Such a centre would also facilitate consultations on self-government arrangements and lead to greater understanding of this complex issue, thereby resulting in productive intergovernmental relations."
The FCM has undertaken consultations through its 17 municipal, provincial and territorial member associations and have received generally positive feedback. The Centre will enable municipalities to share with Aboriginal governments their experiences in financial management, service delivery and political accountability.
"The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is pleased that the federal government recognizes the need to develop appropriate consultation mechanisms for municipalities directly affected by self-government negotiations and agreements," said Mayor Les. "Strengthening relations with Aboriginal communities is a key objective."
Chief Manny Jules expressed his support for the Centre for Municipal-Aboriginal Relations saying, "The Indian Taxation Advisory Board and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities share the objective of promoting positive, practical and effective working relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and their respective governments. This initiative will greatly assist us in our work."
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the FCM and ITAB which sets out the terms under which the federal government's contribution of $100,000 will be used. The FCM-member municipalities are also providing financial contributions towards the establishment and maintenance of the Centre.
The Centre will be under the joint management of the Indian Taxation Advisory Board and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. It will act as a national body which provides a forum for exchange of information and research on issues such as municipal-Aboriginal intergovernmental relations, taxation, governance and service delivery.
A six member steering committee will be appointed by both organizations to set priorities and provide strategic direction.
For information contact:
Lynne Boyer Bruno Bonneville Nicole Loreto, Director Media Relations Executive Director Public Relations DIAND ITAB Federation of Canadian Municipalities (819) 997-8404 (613) 954-6764 (613) 850-1010