Straight Talk

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip accuses Justin Trudeau of trying on Stephen Harper's big-boy pants

by Charlie Smith, Carlito Pablo on August 5th, 2015 at 9:59 AM
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      Speaking from a First Nations perspective, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and former Quatsino First Nation chief Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi agree about the significance of this year’s October 19 federal election.

      “This is the most important election this country has ever faced,” Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, told the Straight at the sidelines of the Vancouver Pride Parade on August 2.

      How the election should be decided, though, is where Phillip and Hunt-Jinnouchi differ.

      Phillip believes that it’s Thomas Mulcair and the New Democrats that “offer the fundamental change that this country needs and deserves”.

      As to what that entails, Phillip said: “Clearly, this country is crying out for a new national vision that is more inclusive, that respects democratic values and understands the need for sustainable development and to ensure that the natural values of this great country are preserved for our future generations.”

      Phillip is not impressed with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, saying: “He’s really obsessed with trying on [Conservative prime minister Stephen] Harper’s big-boy pants and really wouldn’t represent the type of fundamental change we need in this country.”

      The outspoken leader disapproves of Bill C-51, the antiterrorism measure brought in by the Conservatives that was supported by the Liberals and opposed by New Democrats and the Green Party.

      “Clearly, Bill C-51 is designed to silence the voice of indigenous peoples, to intimidate Canadians,” he said.

      Hunt-Jinnouchi, who is running for the Greens in the Vancouver Island riding of Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, doesn’t take lightly her responsibility in this exercise for the country’s future.

      “This is a defining moment for Canada,” Hunt-Jinnouchi told the Straight by phone.

      She said that the Green Party’s proposal to create a Council of Canadian Governments represents an opportunity to have a “nation-to-nation dialogue”.

      The proposed council, a body to be chaired by the prime minister, would include provincial premiers, territorial leaders, delegates from municipalities, and indigenous leaders in the development of national policies.

      With First Nations, Métis, and Inuit representatives at the national table, Hunt-Jinnouchi said, that could finally herald the “actual time of reconciliation”.

      Jody Wilson-Raybould, a former regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations who is running for the Liberals in Vancouver Granville, didn’t grant the Straight an interview about what the election means for indigenous people.

      Comments

      19 Comments

      Wiggly Rigby

      Aug 5, 2015 at 1:07pm

      "Jody Wilson-Raybould, a former regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations who is running for the Liberals in Vancouver Granville, didn’t grant the Straight an interview about what the election means for indigenous people."

      Perhaps the reason she doesn't what to give the interview is because all politicians know voicing one's true opinion before an election is never a good idea, or possibly she doesn't care.

      len akerstream

      Aug 5, 2015 at 1:25pm

      I think harper is the right men for the job,ndp will only put us back in to depet,they are big spenders on our money ,and don't for get when trudeaus party was in power how much
      they ran up depet

      ms Lee

      Aug 5, 2015 at 5:32pm

      The greens deserve big vote, passing sponsorship money under the table,or having many ministers depart and legislation declared flawed is not kosher.

      ron1

      Aug 6, 2015 at 6:50am

      Why would Fran run in a riding with a very good NDP MP, Randall Garrison?
      Greens will split the anti-Harper vote - it's simple math!

      cathy

      Aug 6, 2015 at 8:04am

      Vote NDP.
      And for gawds sake don't to try to vote 'strategically'-just vote NDP.
      This time the choice has never been clearer.

      Denise Dufault

      Aug 6, 2015 at 9:40am

      I think the only way forward for Canada is for the NDP and the Greens and Parti Quebecois to form a coalition and advance the health and sustainability of Canada. No more subsidies to fossil fuels and tax and control corporations, if everyone paid their fair share; there would be enough for everyone!

      I sit and wonder

      Aug 6, 2015 at 12:37pm

      why people are so blinded by party ideology that the NDP\Greens\Cons\Turdeau's are going to save the world.
      They are all politicians and are going to tell you what you want to hear to get into office(The feeding trough).
      The reality of the world is, that apart from some 'soft issues', they would be very similar in office.

      Politicians promise, but rarely deliver, why does everyone get played over and over?

      Grant

      Aug 6, 2015 at 2:30pm

      @ len akerstream

      You may want to check out: https://www.google.ca/search?q=canada's+debt+over+the+years&biw=904&bih=... before making comments that are completely false. Note the years the debt went down and the beginning of the increase at the end of the graph. None of this was due to the NDP of course who have never been in government. If we are talking about the provinces the NDP record is still better on average than other liberal of tory governments. In BC the NDP record is much better than what came after. Much better.

      Sad but true: Conservative attack ads work

      Aug 6, 2015 at 3:21pm

      Phillip is not impressed with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, saying: “He’s really obsessed with trying on Harper’s big-boy pants...

      Unfortunately this comment reflects very poorly on the Chief. Clearly he's been watching too many "Justin is just not ready" conservative attack ads. And he's allowed himself to be influenced by them. Weak.