(Ottawa) Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was optimistic about the chances of achieving a consensus concerning the federal law on major projects when he started a meeting on Thursday with hundreds of First Nations chiefs. However, in the middle of the afternoon, some of them had already left the summit.
Kahnawake’s great council chief Mohawk Cody Diabo reported having taken the microphone to express his frustration before leaving the meeting, adding that the chiefs expected to have time to dialogue with the Prime Minister and the Ministers, but that they had rather been asked to talk to each other.
“I don’t even know what it is, but it’s not a dialogue. It is certainly not a consultation. I am speechless, ”he insurgent after leaving the meeting.
Mr. Diabo said the government seemed to try to bring together people who support its plan and qualified the “facade” meeting.
In the morning, Carney announced that he planned to spend the day listening to the concerns of First Nations leaders concerning the law aimed at building Canada, which allows the government to accelerate the major projects it deems of national interest.
“I will pronounce a few words at the start and answer questions at the end, but I am here to listen, dialogue and move forward,” Carney told journalists before the start of the meeting.
He was greeted by cheers when he went on stage Thursday morning to give his opening speech.
“The economic value of these projects will be shared with First Nations as partners who will help build the prosperity of your communities for future generations,” said Carney at the start of the meeting at the Canadian Museum of History, in Gatineau.
The media quickly dismissed
After his brief speech, the media were escorted outside the room and prevented from hearing the National Assembly of the First Nations Assembly (APN), Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, addressing the hundreds of chefs gathered, despite his wish that the media remain present.
Photo Spencer Colby, Canadian Press
Mark Carney speaks Plors from the summit
The APN pleaded for the entire meeting to be made public, and Mme Woodhouse Nepinak then apologized for having had to hold a press conference outside the museum.
“You should have been present and you should have heard my speech,” she said.
This closed -door meeting was promised by Mr. Carney in June, when the chiefs said that their rights had not been respected by the precipitation with which the law aimed at building Canada was adopted. The law was adopted with the support of the conservatives less than a month after its deposit.
It allows the cabinet to quickly grant federal authorizations for major industrial projects, such as mines, ports and pipelines, bypassing existing laws. It also gives the cabinet the power to determine which projects are of national interest.
The former national chief Ovide Wednesday addressed Mr. Carney directly at the meeting, claiming that the latter asked the First Nations to trust the government and the law, despite the fears it arouses among leaders.
A recording was provided to the Canadian press by a chief participating in the summit.
“There are always limits to our conversations in forums like this. But if you come to our territory, we will honor you. We will deal with the respect you deserve as head of this country, ”started the chef on Wednesday.
“But at the same time, we expect you to also honor our people and our leaders,” he continued before receiving an ovation.
The head of the first nation crie of Waswanipi, Irene Neeposh, believes that Mr. Carney was listening to Thursday, but she is waiting to see if a real dialogue will settle over time.
“You have to give a chance. The message is communicated, but it is more than a message (which is necessary), it is the actions that come with the message that will be important, ”she said.
She stressed that, in her community located in North-du-Québec, fauna protection criteria apply for any development project and these have been developed over the past twenty years. These criteria could be used in the case of the new federal law, she believes, in order to ensure a balance. “I hope there will be a little flexibility to make adjustments […]. The impact will be directly in the communities that are on the same sites as these projects. »»
Other planned meetings
Carney told journalists that Thursday’s meeting was the first step in a process.
“While we build our nation, we build all the nations, together, in partnership,” he said. Today, we will talk about the construction of partnerships with the First Nations, sometimes in partnership, sometimes with projects carried out by the First Nations. »»
Many First Nations leaders said on Wednesday that they have few expectations for the meeting and have warned that it should not be considered the complete consultation required for major projects.
When asked if he thought that the government could obtain a consensus from First Nations leaders on the procedure to follow, Mr. Carney replied: “Yes, I think so”.
“Everyone wants to improve the country. Everyone wants better prospects for their children. Everyone wants more resources for social services, health, education and community services, “he said.
The government plans to hold similar meetings with Inuit and Métis leaders in the coming weeks. Carney said that he would meet Inuit leaders in Inuvik, in the Northwest Territories, in 10 days, although a spokesperson then declared that he could not confirm the date or the place.
He also undertook to launch a regional dialogue with the First Nations and to continue the consultation processes.
With information from Émilie Bergeron
