Manitoba 1st province to introduce Truth and Reconciliation law, NDP says

Manitoba is thefirst province in Canada to introduce legislation based on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson said on Thursday.

• Truth and Reconciliation offers 94 'calls to action'

Robinson introduced theTRC bill on Thursday afternoon in the Manitoba Legislature.

Robinsonexpects Premier Greg Selinger to appoint a minister responsible for managing the TRC file in a "matter of days."

Robinson called the new legislation a "pathway to start dealing with the 94 recommendations."

Manitoba will notaddress all 94 Truth and Reconciliation recommendations because most are directed at the federal government, he said.

"Those that apply to the Province of Manitoba, we obviously will begin addressing them," said Robinson.

Manitoba is already addressing some of the recommendations, he added.

Education Minister James Allum announced in January that Manitoba would increasefunds directed at indigenous students by more than $1 million and release data about aboriginal student achievement.

In 2010 Manitoba became the first province in Canada to implement an Aboriginal Language Recognition Act, said Robinson.

• Manitoba boosts funding for indigenous students in the province