Scheer doesn’t retract Indigenous ‘hostage’ comments, stays firm on position following debate – CTV News

September 13, 2019

OTTAWA – Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer didn’t walk back comments he made Thursday evening at the first leaders’ debate of this federal election campaign, when he said Indigenous groups shouldn’t be permitted to hold natural resources projects “hostage.”

Speaking in Mississauga, Ont. on Friday morning, Scheer doubled down on his argument that creating a system where some groups get to dictate the outcome of major money-making initiatives that effect the livelihood of others would be defective.

“It’s very frustrating to see Indigenous communities who know that partnering with national resources projects are the only way to give young people on reserve hope and opportunity,” said Scheer, “and when you see those First Nations communities so frustrated that those projects aren’t able to proceed because of a small group of people or other Indigenous communities are holding up those projects, I share that frustration.”

Read More: https://election.ctvnews.ca/scheer-doesn-t-retract-indigenous-hostage-comments-stays-firm-on-position-following-debate-1.4592037