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(Coast Salish Territory) Provincially, the Canadian Alliance has greatly increased its stranglehold on British Columbia. The Canadian Alliance now holds 27 of the 34 seats available within BC.

Nationally, the Liberal Party of Canada has been returned to power with an even greater majority of the seats in the House of Commons than they held before the election was called. The Liberals went from 161 seats to 173 seats.

During their last term in office the Liberal government demonstrated an arrogant and indifferent attitude toward the recognition, affirmation and implementation of our aboriginal rights and title. During the course of the federal election, the Canadian Alliance demonstrated an attitude of intolerance and hostility toward the recognition of Aboriginal peoples constitutionally enshrined rights.

Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs said today, "Canada and BC's aboriginal people were the big losers in the recent federal election. Based on the Liberal government's previous track record and the Canadian Alliance's gains in BC, we can look forward to an aggressive, sustained attack on our aboriginal rights."

Chief Phillip added, “To make matters worse, in BC, we are facing the inevitable prospect of facing an incoming BC Liberal government within the next six months. Similar to the Canadian Alliance, the BC Liberals are steadfastly opposed to the recognition and implementation of our aboriginal rights."

"We are headed for some very difficult and trying times ahead in the Province of British Columbia." Chief Phillip concluded by saying, "Never before in our history has there been a greater need for strong, active and vocal leadership."