Ottawa, Ontario – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Interim National Chief Joanna Bernard welcomes new and returning ministers in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, including Gary Anandasangaree as the new Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.
“I welcome all new and returning Ministers, including Minister Gary Anandasangaree, who now holds the portfolio of Crown-Indigenous Relations,” said AFN Interim National Chief Joanna Bernard. “While I welcome these changes, there is much work left to be done. Crown-Indigenous Relations is an important point of contact between First Nations and the Crown. As Interim National Chief, I look forward to meeting with Minister Anandasangaree immediately to get him up to speed and to accelerate progress and work on our shared priorities.”
“I also thank the Honourable Marc Miller for his dedication to advancing First Nations priorities. We achieved many milestones during his tenure as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.”
The cabinet shuffle includes notable appointments, including Arif Virani as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Dominic LeBlanc as Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the retainment of Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland.
“I am encouraged to see Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu remain in her role. Partnership is critical to ensuring real progress and advancements on critical priorities for First Nations across Canada. I look forward to building on our positive working relationship and this momentum with Minister Hajdu and Minister Anandasangaree.”
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
For more information, please contact:
Genna Benson
Director, Communications
Assembly of First Nations
604-340-3117
[email protected]
Kelly Reid
Senior Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
613-292-0857
[email protected]