Being sworn into the NDP cabinet as the minister of indigenous relations and reconciliation was surreal for Scott Fraser, Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA, who鈥檚 been waiting for a seat in government for 12 years.
鈥淚t was the most incredible day of my life in many ways,鈥� Fraser said. 鈥淚鈥檝e never experienced something like that before, it was moving. I had tears more than once as John Horgan got sworn in as the premier of British Columbia.鈥�
In his new role as minister, Fraser said the plan is to adopt the UN Declaration of the rights of Indigenous peoples and address the calls to action for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to make a relationship that鈥檚 not mired in conflict but moving together forward with First Nations in accordance with case law, court decisions and that鈥檚 going to help the whole province鈥t鈥檚 an exciting time,鈥� he said.
Fraser said he鈥檚 looking forward to working with premier John Horgan and his diverse cabinet.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a buddy of mine and he鈥檚 the coolest premier that I鈥檝e ever seen in any place in Canada and he cares about people,鈥� Fraser said.
Issues Horgan and the cabinet will be working on with an NDP government include a focus on health care, education, sustainable jobs and more resources for wildfire relief and emergency response.
鈥淲e鈥檙e now running a government that鈥檚 going to work for people again. Not just the people at the top, but the people of British Columbia are going to get represented,鈥� Fraser said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to fix the mess of 16 years left behind and we鈥檙e committed to dealing with the key issues in our platform.鈥�
The NDP cabinet is made up of 23 ministers and 6 parliamentary secretaries, held by 15 women and 14 men.
鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful we have gender equity, that鈥檚 never happened before anywhere, not in Canada,鈥� Fraser said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a great crew of people. Some have been around for quite a while like I have and others that are new. I think John has just nailed it with this current cabinet and I鈥檓 so pleased to be a part of it.鈥�
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Vice-President Ken Watts said he thinks Fraser is the perfect fit for his new position as minister of indigenous of relations and reconciliation.
鈥淚 think for a decade he鈥檚 been the critic for aboriginal relations and reconciliation,鈥� Watts said. 鈥淥ther First Nations around B.C. really respect Scott.鈥�
Watts said after meeting with Fraser last week, he told the new minister that action is needed.
鈥淣ot just First Nations but British Columbians are looking for action at this point. There鈥檚 a lot that can be said and commitments that can be made, but I think what people are looking for is action,鈥� Watts said.
