Canada’s largest pipeline companies look to the East
Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project continued to dominate headlines across Canada last week, but while the proposed pipeline from Alberta’s oilsands to B.C.’s Pacific Coast continues to face public opposition, Enbridge and rival TransCanada are looking to expand to Eastern Canada with far less scrutiny. Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway project was met with new criticism […]
Erasmus says AFN needs new approach with federal government
AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo, who was elected in 2009 and running for re-election next month, is being challenged by a number of candidates including an AFN regional chief who says the AFN needs a different approach to dealing with the federal government. “I have worked with a number of national chiefs and I found […]
Feds’ efforts to address aboriginal peoples’ disparity not good enough
ALGOMA, ONT.—This government’s effort to address the disparity between aboriginal peoples and Canadians isn’t going far enough or fast enough to address key fundamental issues in aboriginal communities. In fact, this current budget completely misses the mark, despite the promises made to take issues seriously and renew the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the Crown. […]
Land claims should be an engine of growth
PARLIAMENT HILL—The omnibus budget bill, C-38, aims to create jobs and wealth by streamlining the regulatory process and shorten the time required for environmental assessments. The government argues that five years is too long to take to get project approvals. Canada’s economic well-being is at stake. Settling and implementing land claims—comprehensive claims, specific claims, the […]
Future is bright for Canada’s aboriginal peoples
PARLIAMENT HILL—As a member of the Standing Committees on Aboriginal Peoples and Human Rights, and as a representative of the province of Ontario, advancing aboriginal issues is a key component of my mandate as a Senator. As a result, it was only fitting that on Jan. 24, 2012, I attended the Crown-First Nations Gathering; a […]
Inuit want winning conditions for Canada in Arctic
Having recently been elected into the position of national Inuit leader, I look forward to working with the Prime Minister, MPs, Senators, members of the public service and the national media. This is a critical time for the Canadian Arctic. There is an increasing focus on our largest region of Canada domestically and there is […]
Time for a nation-building investment in people, jobs, and the economy
IQALUIT—Canada’s latest resource boom offers more than the prospect of economic growth in uncertain times. It heralds a new phase of nation-building that may finally close the gap between southern Canada and its northernmost communities. Nunavut’s vast potential in minerals, oil and gas is well known. To build a world-class resource economy in Nunavut, though, […]
In search of a Métis policy
In the fall of 2008, the Métis National Council (MNC) and the Government of Canada signed the Métis Nation Protocol, establishing a process toward improving the quality of life of Métis people. The protocol is the most recent effort to provide some clarity to a relationship between the Métis people and Canada long characterized by […]
It’s their land too, First Nations entitled to formal government-to-government conversation
PARLIAMENT HILL—Chief Dean Sayers of the Batchewana First Nation said last week, aboriginal people in Canada are asking for “their legal right to a fair share of the bounty of Canada.” They must have control over their land and the natural resources on it, running through it and under it. Only then will they be […]
NDP wants real partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
PARLIAMENT HILL—New Democrats believe that our relationship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada needs to be based on a partnership, the same one that built our country. We will establish this new partnership by forging a new relationship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, fostering economic opportunity and lasting prosperity, ending […]
