Thomas Mulcair, federal leader of the official Opposition, stopped by the First Nations Summit in North Vancouver Wednesday to hear concerns voiced by several First Nations representatives.
The summit, the sixth one this year, is a gathering of First Nations and tribal councils from across the province to address issues related to treaty negotiations and other concerns, including the federal government's push on energy and resource development.
"We have an obligation to take care of the land, to take care of the water, to take care of the air, but we have to take care of it long term," said Mulcair, addressing those gathered at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre on Squamish land in North Vancouver.
When asked after the meeting about balancing the economy with First Nations concerns over the various pipeline proposals across the province, Mulcair said that it's an old argument that does not work. "There are very few people in Canada other than Stephen Harper and his cabinet that oppose the economy and the environment anymore," said Mulcair.
Other political leaders scheduled to speak at the summit this week included John Rustad, provincial minister of aboriginal relations, Mark Polak, provincial minister of environment, and Shawn Atleo, chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
