WINNIPEG: a coalition made up of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba and concerned First Nations band members are calling for the removal of Bill 31, The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act.

If passed, race-related clauses 7 and 8 in Bill 31 would prevent Manitobans from accessing information from the provincial government that involves band councils and other aboriginal groups.

"Clauses 7 and 8 in the bill are downright racist," said Solange Garson, a member of the Split Lake First Nation. "I already have enough trouble getting information from my band council. The government shouldn't put more road blocks in place."

"Mother of Red Nations is calling for meaningful consultation with aboriginal women. Aboriginal women and their families are profoundly affected by the distribution of funds on reserves," said Mother of Red Nations' Executive Director, Rita Emerson.

"Walls between government information and Manitobans who seek it should be coming down, not going up." added CTF director Colin Craig. "This action by the government is a step backwards when it comes to transparency."

The coalition raised their concerns with Minister Robinson, the Minister responsible for the Freedom of Information Act, on September 9. As the government's minor amendments do not address the coalition's concerns, they have started a petition to have Bill 31 pulled from the legislature until these clauses are removed and proper consultation takes place.

"The mandatory exclusion of aboriginal government information came completely out of the blue." noted Maxine Balbon, President of the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba. "The aboriginal clauses were never mentioned during the 2004 public consultation on the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Why was there no consultation with the Aboriginal women of Manitoba "