Acadian leader wants Court Challenges Program reinstated

An Acadian leader on P.E.I. is upset that the provincial government is not fighting to reinstate the Court Challenges Program.

'The program is a good example of democracy.' — Liberal Leader Robert Ghiz

The Harper government scrapped the program, which provided funding to minority groups to challenge government policies in court, last September. Noella Arsenault used the program more than a decade ago to force the government to build a new French school in Summerside.

"Without help from the Court Challenges Program, mounting a Charter [of Rights and Freedoms] argument would have been impossible," Arsenault told CBC News in an interview conducted in French.

Arsenault does have the support of P.E.I. Liberals, and federal leader Stéphane Dion said last Tuesday a Liberal government would not only restore the program, but increase its funding. Last week the provincial Liberals tried to convince the Binns government to ask their federal counterparts in Ottawa to bring back the program.

"The program is a good example of democracy," said Liberal Leader Robert Ghiz, also speaking in French.

"It's too bad the Conservatives, including Wilfred Arsenault [MLA for the predominantly Acadian district of Evangeline-Miscouche], voted against the motion."

Working co-operatively with Acadians

One of the Tories who spoke out strongly against reinstating the Court Challenges Program was Attorney General Mildred Dover.She questioned whether it makes sense that government should give out money to people who want to challenge government decisions.

Elmer MacFadyen, the minister responsible for francophone issues, also spoke out against reinstating the program.

"We have done a lot for the Acadian francophone community, and will continue to work co-operatively with them, rather than being confrontational," said MacFadyen.

Noella Arsenault says there are no guarantees Acadians will always have a good relationship with government. She adds that by not reinstating the program, the present government will only ensure the Acadian minority will not flourish.