Canada’s at a crossroads, it needs to do the right thing
OTTAWA—Canada is at a crossroads. After decades of neglect, First Nations are poised to become pivotal players. The path we take in reconciling this reality will shape the political, cultural and literal landscape of this country for generations. In addition to clear legal and moral imperatives, there are also twin catalysts for this moment of […]
Feds face multiple policy challenges in closing gap in quality of life between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians
Federal investments in aboriginal health, education and economic development will fail to close the gap in living standards between aboriginal Canadians and the rest of the country without a defined strategy by the Prime Minister, say opposition critics. Although aboriginal Canadians account for one of the fastest growing segments of the Canadian population, First Nations, […]
Feds’ ‘streamlining’ of environmental reviews could force constitutional showdown between Crown and aboriginal groups
The federal government is investing $13.6-million over the next two years to “enhance” aboriginal consultation for major industrial projects, but Bill C-38’s overhaul of the environmental review process may violate the Crown’s duty to consult aboriginal groups. The Tories have been promoting the investment in aboriginal consultation as part of “responsible resource development.” Bill C-38, […]
Feds’ efforts to improve water quality on reserves may not adequately address First Nations’ need: Senate report
The federal government’s move to improve water quality on reserves may not “adequately address” First Nations’ needs, says a Senate Aboriginal People’s Committee report. “While investments and efforts over time have resulted in improvements to water conditions in First Nation communities, much more remains to be done,” states the committee’s report on Bill S-8, Safety […]
Aboriginal Affairs Minister supports ‘thrust’ of private member’s bill to replace Indian Act
Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan says he’s open to a Conservative backbencher’s private member’s bill that would require the minister to report annually on efforts to replace the Indian Act, but aboriginal groups and critics say the bill’s sponsor failed to consult with First Nations before introducing the bill. Conservative backbencher Rob Clarke (Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, […]
The great myth of Senate reform
OTTAWA—Thirty two years. It has been 32 years since Pierre Trudeau’s infamous National Energy Program. Yet the evil that men do lives after them, often in unexpected and surprising forms like, say, Senate reform. The NEP, which brought to a crashing halt an unprecedented energy boom in Alberta, cemented the alienation of Western Canadian […]
Here’s a biodiversity research strategy and program to inform policy on sustainable oceans
ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—The ocean plays a critical role in the biosphere. Oceans cover more than 70 per cent of Earth’s surface, provide 95 per cent of the livable biosphere, and host the greatest breadth of diversity on our planet. Scientists have described 245,000 marine species, but there are likely between 500,000 and 10 million marine […]
Feds rewrite Canadian laws, environmental assessment regime
PARLIAMENT HILL—Canadian fisheries and fish habitat, including freshwater and marine ecosystems, environmental protection, and science and evidence-based public policy are all under severe threat from our current federal government—by far the most ideological in our nation’s history. Since they have obtained majority status, what we have seen has been nothing short of an all-out […]
Canada has failed its oceans in the past, now it’s time to get it right
PARLIAMENT HILL—When it comes to Oceans Management the Arctic represents an opportunity to learn from past mistakes. Canada has the longest ocean coastline in the world stretching over a quarter million km. We have depended on our oceans as a source of food, commerce and transportation for centuries and these links remain as vital today […]
Federal government committed to protecting vast, and abundant resource
PARLIAMENT HILL—Canada’s ocean waters are an integral part of our identity as a nation. They form the heart of our way of life in many communities from coast to coast to coast, and are valued as an essential resource by all Canadians. With the world’s longest coastline, stretching over 243,000 km along three oceans, […]
