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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

By: Mia Rabson

Posted: 11/15/2014 1:00 AM | Comments:

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The Liberals are pinning hopes on Justin Trudeau.

OTTAWA -- Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said he will ensure schools and child-welfare programs on reserves in Manitoba are no longer shortchanged by the federal government.

"I've already committed to achieving parity," Trudeau told the Free Press in a recent interview. "It's not just about levelling the playing field, it's about understanding what we're going to need to add to our workforce. We cannot just continue to shrug and allow them to be left out."

The pledge could stand out in a province where First Nations and Mtis people make up about one-sixth of the population and funding for education and child welfare on reserves has long been faulted for some of the serious social and economic problems plaguing Manitoba aboriginals.

Trudeau, like his counterparts, the NDP's Tom Mulcair, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is in permanent-campaign mode. Speculation is rampant as to whether Harper will break with the fixed-date election law again and call the vote early but regardless, all parties know there will be an election at the latest in less than a year.

Trudeau said a fixed date doesn't make much difference to the preparations and said he knows what the election will be fought over.

Excerpt from:
Liberals pledge parity for Manitoba reserves