Law C-5: “I’m here to listen to you,” says Carney to the First Nations

Expected firmly by hundreds skeptous, even frustrated indigenous chiefs, by the adoption in any way of bill C-5, Prime Minister Mark Carney sought to be reassuring. He places the day under the sign of listening and assures him to his interlocutors: this is only the start of the process.

I’ll say a few words and then listen to youlaunched the Prime Minister from the first nations chiefs who, precisely, demanded this attentive ear, because the feeling of being imposed C-5 is widespread.

A message he hammered during his opening speech. I want to hear what you have to sayinsisted Mark Carneywhich will spend the day with First Nations chiefs, region by region, to try to appease their fears concerning the law on major projects of national interest.

The reception was polite, nothing more.

Many indigenous leaders criticize the government for not having consulted them to develop bill C-5, adopted under gag and become law twenty days after its presentation to the municipalities.

But however, at a press conference, just before his speech, Mark Carney had warned: he will not change the law. He then assured, before the chiefs, that the economic growth of the First Nations was at the center of this federal law.

Mark Carney is committed to launching a regional dialogue and a consultation process With all the chiefs, because some could not make the trip, occupied by the management of forest fires or because of the time too short to come.

These are not just lyricshe assured, The consultation process is in the law.

Before the meeting, the chiefs had taken the trouble to clearly specify that this event was not a good and due consultation, but the beginning of a series of meetings. The Prime Minister abounded in this direction, indicating that it was only the start of the process.

Today, we linger to “how”, not to “what”. This is not what projects will go forwardlaunched Mark Carneyoften evoking the idea of a reliable fair partnership.

The elder who led protocol prayer precisely warned against the consequences of certain gestures and how it is important to share ideologies and cultures respectfully to avoid the worst.

The day promises to be very busy for Mark Carneywhich must meet the representatives of all the provinces as well as those of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Each delegation has 25 minutes with the Prime Minister.

Le grand Chef D’Anisiniwan, i aitobah, but Alex McDougallwondered after the Prime Minister’s speech. How is a real partnership? How can law C-5 be really inclusive? It gives the green light to access our resources, to extract them from the earth when we need the territory to survive.

For his part, the chief Walter Harperfrom the Wasagamack First Nation, in Manitoba, said he was mixed and ready to hear more. It’s 50-50. I need him to commit and I hope he was sincere. I want him to change the law for the best.

The National Chef of the First Nations Assembly (APN), Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, already asked to have a meeting, like that of the day, in a year.