Law C-5: First Nations of the C.-B. concerned by the opacity of the federal

Following the meeting bringing together indigenous representatives from across the country with the Prime Minister of Canada. Meanwhile, Mark Carney, First Nations leaders in British Columbia say they are concerned about the lack of transparency, responsibility and commitment to the protection of their rights.

The meeting which took place in Ottawa Wednesday. Consequently, Thursday aimed to approach the law on the unity of the Canadian economy.

Without adequate protections. Similarly, the First Nations will endure the burden of this opportunistic plan in a hurry developed to accelerate the implementation of potentially devastating projects on their territories, which will harm their land, their territories and future generationssaid the regional chief of British Columbia, Terry Teegee.

Prior consent

The association of the First law c-5: first nations c.-b. Nations of British Columbia invites the federal government “to firmly commit to fully respecting the prior consent. Furthermore, given freely and knowing the means of the First Nations within the framework of the Canadian Economy Unit Act ».

The prior consent. given freely and knowingly is a principle which is found in the whole of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples (DNUDPA).

The Government of Canada. on its website, indicates that it To the constitutional obligation to consult the indigenous peoples when he plans to implement measures which could have negative repercussions on their established or potential – ancestral or from treaties.

However, British-Colombian chiefs describe the lack of prior consent in the adoption of Bill C-5.

What is a prerequisite, when they come to tell you: “Hey, we have already made this decision”?questions the hereditary chief Na’moks law c-5: first nations c.-b. of the Wet’suwet’en nation. This nation has actively opposed the gas pipeline project Coastal GasLinkfearing its impact on its traditional territories. its way of life.

Chef Na’moks had not initially been invited to meet Mark Carney. He had to request an invitation directly to the Prime Minister’s office and registered on Wednesday.

I expect litigation

The partnership with the Aboriginals is an essential element of this law. and a real consultation will be the key to the success of future projectssaid the press release according to the royal sanction of bill C-5.

Hugh Braker. former lawyer and member of the First Nations Summit, believes, however, that the law will lead to disputes, in particular in the regions of the country where the federal government wishes to launch projects of national interest.

We can therefore expect disputes in the West. in British Columbia, in certain regions of meadows, as well as in Ontario and in northern Quebeche specifies.

I expect that. where there are law c-5: first nations c.-b. resources in this country, there are disputes, especially on the part of the First Nations. I would not be surprised that environmentalists join us.

Mark Carney assured in his opening speech of the meeting that he was there to listen to the First Nations. A few minutes before, in a press briefing, he had specified that he would not change the law.

Terry Teegee invites all First Nations to join the First Nations Association in British Columbia. Canada must be aware that if it wishes to adopt legislation of such a scope which goes against its own commitments. its legal obligations and the UN legislationhe said.

With information from Brett Forester and the program The Early Edition