Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin delivered the Liberal party's Speech Throne on Tuesday, promising to improve the health and well-being of Native communities.

The speech cited health, education and economic disparities affecting First Nations. "These are the intolerable consequences of the yawning gaps that separate so many Aboriginal people from other Canadians�unacceptable gaps in education attainment, in employment, in basics like housing and clean water, and in the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes," Martin said.

Martin said the government, in conjunction with First Nations, would develop a report card on Native well-being and hold people accountable for changes.

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Throne speech lays out Liberal path (CBC 10/5)

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Prime Minister Paul Martin (October 5, 2004)