Q&A: Paul Martin on Canadians for a New Partnership – CBC

Sep 18, 2014

Ex-PM seeks to ‘involve Canadians directly’ in fixing ‘broken relationship’ with Aboriginal Peoples

Paul Martin, Canada’s 21st prime minister, will almost always pick up the phone when it comes to aboriginal concerns.

In an interview for the CBC-TV series 8th Fire: Aboriginal Peoples, Canada and the Way Forward, he said, “If my grandchildren ask me what I did in my life in terms of this issue and there hasn’t been an improvement, then I should feel guilt.”

In September, Martin joined a number of high-ranking, retired politicians and aboriginal leaders to form a non-profit group called Canadians for a New Partnership, aimed at sparking a new national conversation among Canadians on aboriginal issues.

Many may wonder what this new partnership could possibly accomplish given its vague, albeit earnest mandate for public forums. But Martin and the rest of the team stand unified as a reminder of what they say is Canada’s moral and economic imperative to heal its “broken relationship” with Aboriginal Peoples.

CBC News spoke with Martin about why he is investing time and energy into this new endeavour.

Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/q-a-paul-martin-on-canadians-for-a-new-partnership-1.2768133