Comparing Jagmeet Singh's NDP Plan, Mark Carney's Liberal Plan & Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Plan: What Does It Mean for Indigenous Peoples?
As Canada’s 2025 federal election approaches, Indigenous Rock the Vote takes a close look at the NDP platform under Jagmeet Singh, Mark Carney's Liberal plan and Pierre Poilievre's Conservative plan. Each party is making significant promises regarding Indigenous reconciliation and the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. However, their approaches differ in both specificity and emphasis.
Let’s have a slightly in-depth look at these differences and what they could mean for Indigenous Canadians.
1. Reconciliation in Action: NDP's Commitment vs. Carney's Vision vs. Poilievre's Plan
Jagmeet Singh’s NDP Plan
The NDP emphasizes reconciliation as action. Singh's platform is clear that Indigenous rights are foundational to Canada. They highlight the need to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in every international negotiation, including trade deals.
The NDP specifically targets free, prior and informed consent, replacing consultation with a standard of consent that involves Indigenous peoples in decisions affecting land rights, including major energy projects.
Mark Carney’s Liberal Plan
Carney’s plan acknowledges the importance of Indigenous rights and reconciliation but focuses more on economic prosperity and partnerships. While the Liberal plan mentions economic reconciliation, it does not emphasize free, prior and informed consent with the same urgency as the NDP. The economic participation of Indigenous peoples is prioritized, but there is less focus on land rights and Indigenous-led decision-making.
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Plan
The Conservative platform is more focused on nation-to-nation relationships and economic reconciliation. Poilievre emphasizes Indigenous prosperity through initiatives like the creation of the First Nations Resource Charge and support for the Canadian Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, giving Indigenous communities the opportunity to have equity in resource and industrial projects. However, Poilievre's plan does not delve into free, prior and informed consent compared to the NDP or Carney's focus on self-determination.
Comparison
Singh’s NDP plan is more explicit in its commitment to nation-to-nation relationships, free, prior and informed consent and constitutional obligations. Carney’s approach, while supportive, focuses more on economic partnership aspects and does not delve as deeply into land rights or self-determination. Poilievre’s plan also emphasizes economic empowerment, but does not prioritize land rights or Indigenous-led governance with the same focus as Singh’s or Carney’s plans.
2. Addressing the Water Crisis: NDP’s Urgency vs. Carney’s Neutrality vs. Poilievre’s Inconclusive Commitments.
Jagmeet Singh’s NDP Plan
A top priority for the NDP is to end long-term boil water advisories in First Nations communities. The NDP is committed to making new investments in clean water infrastructure, including Indigenous-led water management training.
Mark Carney’s Liberal Plan
Carney’s plan recognizes the importance of economic participation but lacks specific commitments to solving the clean water crisis. However, his plan does state that his government will immediately introduce and pass legislation affirming that First Nations have a human right to clean drinking water.
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Plan
Poilievre’s plan includes a First Nations Resource Charge and an emphasis on self-determination in infrastructure projects. However, there are no specific promises regarding the clean water crisis in the Conservative platform, which could be a significant oversight for communities still facing the water crisis.
Comparison
Singh’s NDP plan takes direct action on the water crisis, with clear investments and initiatives to support Indigenous communities. Carney’s plan, while acknowledging the issue will introduce legislation, but make no more commitments on boil water advisories. Poilievre’s platform mentions Indigenous empowerment but does not address clean water directly.
3. Truth and Reconciliation: NDP’s Dedication vs. Carney’s Aspirations vs. Poilievre’s Focus on Prosperity
Jagmeet Singh’s NDP Plan
The NDP commits to fully implementing the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
They focus on justice for Indigenous women and the creation of a National Inquiry into Systemic Violence and Racism in Canadian institutions, aiming to end systemic discrimination in the justice system.
Mark Carney’s Liberal Plan
Carney’s plan commits to moving forward on the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission but lacks the specific programs and funding for these initiatives, particularly in relation to MMIWG. Though they are unlikely to backslide, but they will be different from Trudeau government.
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Plan
Poilievre’s platform does not make specific promises regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action but emphasizes economic development and self-determination for Indigenous communities, especially through resource-sharing and infrastructure projects.
Comparison
The NDP is more specific in addressing systemic violence, racism and justice for Indigenous peoples. Carney’s plan is focused on economic reconciliation but lacks sufficient details on systemic issues. Poilievre’s plan addresses economic self-determination but does not make strong commitments towards reconciliation or addressing historical injustices.
4. Investing in Children: NDP’s Plan vs. Carney’s Focus on Prosperity vs. Poilievre’s Economic Solutions
Jagmeet Singh’s NDP Plan
The NDP is committed to ending funding discrimination in child welfare systems, ensuring long-term and predictable funding through legislation. The NDP also supports Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare, as seen with the Spirit Bear Plan.
Mark Carney’s Liberal Plan
Carney’s platform does not directly address child welfare or the funding disparities that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Plan
Poilievre’s plan does not include direct promises on child welfare. Instead, the focus is on economic prosperity through Indigenous self-determination and empowerment.
Comparison
The NDP provides a concrete commitment to addressing child welfare and funding inequities, particularly through legislation. In contrast, Carney’s platform lacks a direct focus on child welfare or addressing funding discrimination and Poilievre’s platform focuses on economic empowerment without addressing child welfare directly.
Conclusion - A Choice Between Action and Aspiration
While Mark Carney’s Liberal plan, Jagmeet Singh’s NDP plan and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative plan all offer promises for Indigenous rights and reconciliation, the key difference lies in specificity and action.
Singh’s NDP plan offers clear, actionable commitments to address the water crisis, child welfare and systemic violence. Carney’s platform emphasizes economic prosperity but lacks concrete actions in critical areas such as clean water and self-determination. Poilievre’s Conservative plan focuses on economic opportunities but overlooks specific commitments to reconciliation, child welfare and addressing systemic issues.
However, at this point in the election, the NDP has almost no chance of winning. If the Liberal government remains in power, significant backsliding is unlikely and the NDP’s promises are somewhat empty. With the Conservatives, they might face significant issues or cuts, including protests, if their promises do not align with the needs of Indigenous communities.
For Indigenous voters, the question is clear: action on these issues is what matters most and it seems that to see any action, a winning team is necessary. The NDP’s plans, while admirable, may not be enough if they don’t have a chance to form government. Carney’s Liberal plan, while lacking in some areas, still offers the possibility of tangible change with the right political backing.
https://www.ndp.ca/campaign-commitments
https://www.conservative.ca/change/
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