BC Conservative Leader and Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad has fired back after being told by the Moose Hide Campaign that he no longer has permission to wear its pin.
This comes after a letter was issued to Rustad by co-founder Raven Lecerte this week following criticism from Indigenous groups over his party’s position on the United Nations Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Rustad told Vista Radio the whole initiative started in his riding while he was Minister of Indigenous Relations with the former BC Liberals after developing a close relationship with Raven’s father Paul.
“When he came to me and suggested this is what he has been doing and started to get things off the ground when I was Minister, we provided him with funding, staffing and supported the whole program to get off the ground not just in province but across the country.”
Rustad adds while he is disappointed by the move, he won’t stop supporting the cause.
“I fully support the Moose Hide Campaign, the intent of it, which in my mind was to protect women and girls and to make sure that men talk to men about ending violence against women and girls – that is what the campaign is all about and I will continue to do that.”
“Politics is politics and sometimes I understand that people want to make a political statement for a variety of reasons.”
Initially, Rustad and the Conservatives pledged to repeal the Union Nations of Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – a move that has since been walked back.
Instead, Rustad is pledging a form of economic reconciliation in the form of a percentage return of provincial forests to First Nations along with developing partnerships between nations and the private business sector.
“There can be no true reconciliation without economic reconciliation. We need to have First Nations stop managing poverty and start managing prosperity – that is a big focus on what we will be doing.”
“We will continue to utilize UNDRIP as it was intended to guide what we do in respecting and working with First Nations. The legislation that is in place has created friction and problems in our society and I don’t think that is the right way to go.”
The diamond-shaped pin, which Rustad has worn for years, is regarded as a commitment to honour and respect women and to speak out against gender-based and domestic violence.
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