VANCOUVER - Interim Liberal Party leader Bob Rae says the gaps in education, healthcare and housing between First Nations communities and other Canadians are an embarrassment and must be addressed.
Speaking at the YWCA in Vancouver, Rae says the wave of aboriginal "immigration" from reserves during the last 50 years means the poverty they face is no longer hidden.
Rae says many of Canada's largest cities now include "aboriginal ghettos" where the anger fuelled by inequality has led to suicide and crime.
He says the Conservative government's response has been to build more jails but that hasn't increased safety in communities or reduced crime.
But he says South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United States also deal with the same issues regarding their aboriginal people and no country has come up with the right policy.
Rae says better social policies are also needed to address housing and mental health issues.
