INAC/Statement: Record Results Achieved Again on Specific Claims

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Aug 27 (MARKET WIRE) --
The following statement was released by the Honourable Chuck Strahl,
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal
Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians:

"I want to take this opportunity to highlight a new report released today
that tracks overall progress made to resolve specific claims in the past
fiscal year (2008-2009). The report shows that a record 118 specific
claims were addressed during this time while another 31 specific claims
were accepted for negotiation.

Since the launch of our action plan just over two years ago, progress has
been made to improve and speed up claims resolution.

Our latest progress report shows that we have more than doubled the
results achieved in the previous fiscal year (2007-2008) when Canada
addressed 54 claims. These findings clearly demonstrate that our action
plan is delivering concrete results.

In addition, interested Canadians can now track progress on the status of
individual specific claims by searching a new status report which is
updated daily.

These new reports show that Canada is serious about living up to its
commitments to enhance transparency and accelerate progress on specific
claims for the benefit of all Canadians. We look forward to building on
this success in the future.

It is in everyone's best interests to bring closure to First Nations'
grievances and put the past behind us. In doing so, we can move forward
together and focus our joint efforts on building a better future."

Learn more about Canada's Specific Claims Action Plan
(http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/al/ldc/spc/index-eng.asp)

Contacts:
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Press Secretary
819-997-0002

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Media Relations
819-953-1160

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