"We shouldn't vote for things on the basis of political correctness we should actually vote on the basis of what's in the document," Harper said. Prime Minister Stephen Harper had earlier expressed his concerns about the language the declaration contained. Strahl said the government supports the spirit and intent of the declaration, but could not support the "last-minute" amendments it said were made at UN meetings without Canada's participation. "It's not balanced, in our view, and inconsistent with the charter." "I am sorry we can't sign on," Strahl told CBC News on Thursday from Ottawa. John McNee, Canada's ambassador to the UN, speaks to the General Assembly on Thursday. Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl said Canada opposed the declaration because it lacks clear guidance for implementation and conflicts with the existing Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which the government believes already protects the rights of aboriginal people. McNee said the provision is "overly broad, unclear and capable of a wide variety of interpretations" that could lead to the reopening of previously settled land claims and existing treaties. In his address to the General Assembly before the vote, Canada's UN ambassador, John McNee, said Canada had "significant concerns" over the declaration's wording on provisions addressing lands and resources, as well as another article calling on states to obtain prior informed consent with indigenous groups before enacting new laws or administrative measures.Īrticle 26 of the UN declaration states: "Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired." The non-binding declaration, which sets out global human rights standards for indigenous populations, was easily approved Thursday by the UN General Assembly in New York - with only Canada, New Zealand, the United States and Australia dissenting. Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl says the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is not balanced and conflicts with Canada's Charter.
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