NAN Grand Chief disappointed with provincial cabinet shuffle

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy on Thursday said he’s disappointment Premier Dalton McGuinty’s cabinet shuffle didn’t include a standalone Aboriginal Affairs minister.

Instead Attorney General Chris Bentley will continue to handle the portfolio as the minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, a task he's handled since last January when he took over the ministry from Brad Duguid, adding to his duties.

Duguid and his predecessor, Michael Bryant, were standalone Aboriginal Affairs ministers from 2007 to 2010.

Beardy said NAN leaders were hopeful McGuinty would go that route again.

"I think it’s very clear that the intent of the Ipperwash recommendations that there has to be a focused effort in resolving First Nation’s issues by the government of Ontario," Beardy said, adding that while his relationship with Bentley is a strong one, as attorney general Bentley not only has his hands full, but could face a possible conflict of interest.

"Perception is the problem we have here. The attorney general enforces the provincial legislation. With provincial legislation, First Nation people aren’t necessarily recognized as First Nations people," Beardy said.

"I think what we’re looking for is substance. The First Nation population is the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian population. I’m very concerned that if there’s no major effort by the government to resolve First Nations issues that they will just continue to escalate."

Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle said Bentley , who will be in town over the weekend for the Metis Nation of Ontario’s annual general meeting, has done a remarkable job handling his dual portfolio and places high priority on Aboriginal Affairs.

"I know he’s working very closely with the Aboriginal communities and leadership, First Nation, Metis and Inuit. Certainly I am as well," said Gravelle, named on Wednesday to the premier’s priority and planning committee.

"I’m very pleased, quite frankly, that Minister Bentley is remaining in that post. We work extremely well together and he takes it very, very seriously."

Gravelle said he’s not concerned about a division of duties.

"He’s done a tremendous amount of work. He’s developing extremely close relationships with all the Aboriginal communities and all the Aboriginal leadership. I certainly can’t speak on behalf of the Aboriginal leadership, but I quite frankly suspect they might say they are very pleased that Minister Bentley has these responsibilities and is retaining them," Gravelle said.

His fellow Northwestern Ontario representative Bill Mauro (Lib, Thunder Bay-Atikokan), called Bentley a great advocate for First Nations issues and expressed confident Bentley’s ability to give it the attention it deserves.

"We know that there are people who would prefer it to go back to a standalone ministry. I always remind people that we are in fact the first government that’s ever had a ministry directed and focused on Aboriginal affairs. So I still think it’s a good thing for our government to have done," Mauro said.

McGuinty’s cabinet shuffle, announced Wednesday, saw John Gerretsen moved from the Environment ministry to consumer services following his controversial eco-tax plan.

Sudbury’s Rick Bartolucci will take over Municipal Affairs and Housing, while John Wilkinson moves from Revenue to Environment. Jim Bradley will take over as Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Newly elected MPP Glenn Murray is the new Research and Innovation Minister, while former Ottawa mayor Bob Chiarelli will head Infrastructure, which was split from the Energy file and left in Duguid’s hands.