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Vernon  

Mulcair visits Vernon

Federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair made a brief stop in Vernon Tuesday where he promised to make First Nations a top priority for his government should the party be voted into power on Oct. 19.

Mulcair was greeted by close to 300 party supporters at North Okanagan-Shuswap candidate Jacqui Gingras' downtown campaign office.

Following a speech touting a balanced budget, tax breaks for small and medium-sized businesses and more taxes for large corporations, Mulcair was asked what he plans to do about the missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada whose numbers are in the thousands.

Mulcair said his party would take immediate action on the issue.

“We will hold a royal commission within 100 days of forming government,” said Mulcair, adding he would also restore funding to women's shelters that was cut by the Harper government.

The prime minister hopeful also assured local First Nation chiefs and members of the Okanagan Indian Band – who were part of the official greeting for Mulcair – he would respect and honour their rights and treaties.

During his brief speech, Mulcair also said the NDP would deliver on its promise of $15-a-day daycare.

“We're going to get it done for the families in Vernon and British Columbia,” he said to the cheers of those in attendance.

Mulcair spent 30 minutes at Gingras' campaign office where he signed books, shook hands and chatted with the party faithful as part of a whirlwind tour of the Valley.



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