NDP platform receives full marks from Assembly of First Nations

The Assembly of First Nations has released its assessment of the four main federal parties'platforms, giving the NDP full marks forwhat it calls a "comprehensive response to First Nations priorities."

"We want to ensure First Nations across Canada get all the facts before voting, to ensure they have the proper information to make an informed decision," said National Chief PerryBellegardein a written statement Thursday.

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TheAFN'sassessment comes as the parties make a final push as their campaigns enter the final weekend before the general election on Monday,with the Liberals and Conservatives surging aheadin a two-way race.

Bellegardesaid each party was asked for a formal response to the priorities laid out by the AFN,andthe Conservative Partyhad yet to reply.

The assessment covers six broad themes:

• Strengthening First Nations, families and communities.
• Sharing and equitable funding.
• Upholding rights.
• Respecting the environment.
• Revitalizing indigenous languages.
• Truth and reconciliation.

According to the AFN, theNDP'splatform provides a "comprehensive response" in all six areas.

By contrast, the Conservative Party's platformprovides an "inadequate" or "incomplete" response in all of the six priorities.

The Liberal Party's platform gets full marks in five of the six categories, receiving "incomplete" marks for not doing enough to support the revitalization of indigenous languages.

The Green Party's platform provides a "comprehensive" response in four of the six priorities, but is deemed "partial orincomplete" when it comes to funding andsupport for indigenous languages.

Bellegardeto work with 'whoever' is elected

The Harper government's relationship with the AFN soured following the abrupt departure of former nationalchief ShawnAtleo,who resigned amid complaints from chiefs that he had sided with the Conservatives over a proposed First Nations EducationAct.

In an interview onCBC'sThe House, Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper was asked ifhe thought the new national chief, who opposed the act, was prepared to work with him.

"I'm not sure whether he is or not," Harpersaid on Sept. 19."Unfortunately, some in the AFN reversed their position [on the First Nations Education Act]. I think Mr.Bellegardewas one of those."

Today,Bellegardesaid he was prepared to work with whichever party leader wins next Monday.

"I will work with whoever is elected Oct.19 to close the gap in quality of life between First Nations people and Canadians,"Bellegardesaid.

"It's up to First Nations and all Canadians to decide who that will be."

Voter turnout up in the territories

Elections Canada said an estimated3.6 million people voted during four daysof advance polls running from last Friday to Thanksgiving Monday,representing a 71 per cent increaseover three days of advance polling in 2011.

Severalridings in B.C. and Ontarioled the country for the number of votes cast at advance polls over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Voter turnout during advance pollswas alsohigh in the territories, according topreliminary figures released by Elections Canadaon Wednesday.

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InNunavutthe voter turnout more than tripled, with1,109 people casting a ballotduring four days of advance polls compared with 355 who voted during three daysof advance polling in 2011.

Voter turnout in the Northwest Territories more than doubled, going from1,262 ballots cast in 2011 to2,746 this year.

Yukon also saw an increase in turnout with3,013 people voting over four days,compared with 1,578 electors who voted in the last federal election.

The AFNhasidentified 51 ridingswith the potential towield great influence in the electoral outcome.