Drafting the Government of Quebec's Aboriginal social development action plan: the Government of Quebec and First Nations and Inuit communities establish a dialogue

QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 26, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The consultation preceding the drafting of the Government of Quebec's Aboriginal social development action plan, in which more than 100 representatives of Aboriginal communities and stakeholder organizations participated, ended today in Quebec City. The Minister responsible for Native Affairs, Geoffrey Kelley, said that  he was delighted by the favourable reception which the new government initiative had received and  the constructive atmosphere surrounding the discussions.

"I am pleased that so many individuals and groups took time to participate in these discussions.  Their enthusiasm reflects the importance that all of us attach to the task of improving the quality of the services offered to  Aboriginal peoples. The implementation of the Government of Quebec's Aboriginal social development action plan will serve as a key phase in the relationship between the Government of Quebec  and First Nations and Inuit peoples. Our discussions over the past two days will enable us to enhance service delivery and develop  concrete measures that will more broadly take into account Aboriginal realities and cultures," Minister Kelley noted.

The Government of Quebec's Aboriginal social development action plan, the first of its kind in Quebec, is intended to bring together,  under a single umbrella, the wide range of existing government measures in this field,  in addition to proposing new measures which will improve the quality of life of Aboriginal peoples. The Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones will coordinate the drafting of the action plan, the implementation of which will rely on  collaboration between various ministries and agencies of the Government of Quebec.

"Aboriginal realities are changing, and government intervention must change at the same pace. The Aboriginal nations have young, dynamic populations who are devoted to the promotion and preservation of their cultures, their languages, and their traditions. Several topics were addressed during the consultation, including the importance of adapting Quebec's social services to make them culturally appropriate and better reflect the distinctive characteristics of the Aboriginal peoples. The implementation of the measures which will take shape under the auspices of the new action plan, as well as efforts to follow up on the commitments made in the plan, must be carried out in collaboration with the Aboriginal communities," Minister Kelley added.

Two key themes – improving the quality of life of Aboriginal peoples, and access to Québec public services – were at the heart of these discussions. The participants made several recommendations which will assist the Government of Quebec and its partners as they consider the new initiatives and measures which will be adopted.

Source:

Mylène Gaudreau Press Officer Office of the Minister responsible for Native Affairs 418 454-1226

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre responsable des Affaires autochtones

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Mylène Gaudreau, Press Officer, Office of the Minister responsible for Native Affairs, 418 454-1226