The “FOREVER” Issue that Should be Fully Discussed/Debated Before Election Day!

Many of the issues getting attention this election … housing, health, crime, carbon taxes etc … can hopefully be solved over time, with judicious efforts, policy changes and better funding.

But there’s one issue that should get a lot more attention, because it could have FOREVER consequences for current and future generations of British Columbians: that is, who decides what happens to Crown lands in the province.

A proposal drawn up by the NDP government’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship last Fall would change the way Land Act decisions are made in BC.

Right now, there are provisions for consultation processes with local communities, stake holders, First Nations, but the FINAL decisions on use/disposal/development of Crown Lands lies with the Legislature …ie. the government.

However, under an NDP “Proposal to enable Land Act decisions to made with Indigenous Governing Bodies” the Legislature would EQUALLY SHARE final decision-making powers on Crown-owned lands with First Nations.

Ridiculous! Dangerous! Undemocratic!

Yielding ANY say/control to ANY group or body not elected directed by ALL the people of BC under our Parliamentary system would open the door to veto powers, shakedowns and even potential blackmail by one specific group of people, in this case, the First Nations.

“This is a huge change that would have significant impacts on Crown public lands here in British Columbia,” Surrey-Cloverdale Conservative candidate Elenore Sturko warned Thursday.

“It’s really giving decision-making power over the use of public lands in British Columbia to an entity that isn’t accountable to the electorate,” Sturko told Global TV’s Paul Johnson.

She’s right.

Premier David Eby, when asked about the NDP policy paper, denounced the Conservatives for “advancing conspiracy theories”.

He’s wrong.

As Johnson pointed out, the NDP ministry document is not just a conspiracy theory; it’s a real document … 10 pages long, drawn up by the Lands ministry last Fall.

It not only exists on paper, but has already been presented privately to resource industry officials earlier this year.

“The purpose: to seek input on a proposal to enable the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act agreements with Indigenous Governing Bodies for Land Act decisions,” the draft policy states.

Global’s story not only showed the document, it zeroed in on the relevant passages that have raised serious concerns.

Proposed amendments to the Land Act would allow First Nations “to share decision-making about public land use where mandated” and “ensure agreements have the force of law”.

That’s more than just a “conspiracy theory”!

Blogger Bob Mackin also reprinted the document on his “TheBreakerNews” website Friday: https://thebreaker.news/news/first-nations-land-management/.

It’s an issue at least worth considerable public consideration, discussion, debate!

Yet, Eby seemed to suggest it’s already a “done” matter.

“Bringing that approach to our relationship with Indigenous people, and the fact and the reality that Indigenous people have rights protected under the constitution of Canada, that they have repeatedly, successfully asserted in court, and that we have to work in partnership together going forward, bringing that conspiracy theory approach to say things that simply are not correct is not helpful,” Mackin quotes Eby as saying.

Eby is wrong again.

The Courts have ruled that First Nations must be consulted and governments have a responsibility to work in partnership, in certain instances.

That’s a hell of a lot different than legislating EQUAL or VETO powers for Indigenous bands in ALL decisions regarding ALL Crown lands!

In fact, the NDP had planned to pass Land Act amendments during last spring’s sitting of the Legislature, but on Feb. 21, Lands Minister Nathan Cullen “shelved the proposal, admitting it was contentious”, Mackin reported. 

Too hot for a pre-election announcement? Just do it … if the NDP get-re-elected?

This really is … or should be … a big issue … because it will have FOREVER implications for BC, if adopted.

Conservative Leader John Rustad was very clear on the issue Saturday:

“The government of British Columbia needs to retain being the final decision-maker on behalf of all British Columbians.”

Rustad said BC must work with First Nations to address title, but not give up or share the power to decide the future of Crown lands.

I agree.

Harv Oberfeld

(Follow @harveyoberfeld on “X” for FREE First Alerts to all new postings on this BC blog.)

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28 Responses to The “FOREVER” Issue that Should be Fully Discussed/Debated Before Election Day!

  1. Chuck B says:

    Is EBY becoming a dictator?

    (Response: I don’t know if dictator is the word I would use: however, he certainly does seem to have his mind made up on some issues without adequate consultation of municipalities, neighbourhood groups, and even small businesses. It does smack of more than just a little bit of arrogance! H.o)

    • e.a.f. says:

      Wouldn’t say Eby is becoming a dictator. He sees issues which haven’t been deal with to date and now has decided he will clear it up. At least we will have a policy or law and we can get with the agenda. It has to be settled one way or another. During el gordo’s reign he started selling provincial lands to private enterprise. In Comox he had the then MLA, Stan Hagen approach Crown Isle and offered to sell them amazing land, which we thought was park. Crown Isle could have picked it up for $350K, acres of forest. Once the public found out about it, it had to go to tender and sealed bids had to be presented. The land went for over a million and the citizens only came up with $650K.
      It always about the land and those with the most money get it or in some cases, those who might look upon a political party with more favour.
      Lets not forget 80% of private land on Vancouver Island is owned by one company. Used to be named Timber West. once that starts being carved up, there will be all sorts of wailing.

  2. Keith says:

    I heard Rustad in a sound bite just after campaigning had begun saying in effect that a conservative govt. would remain overseeing natural resources. It didn’t register with me what he was talking about so many thanks for keeping us all informed on this important issue Harvey. As noted I’ve not heard so far, the appalling local media and their press release readers say a word or ask a question on this subject.

    I can’t add anything to what has already been said, but what I would like to see asked but I’m probably dreaming in Technicolor is; “What do the forest companies, mills and truck loggers association think of this.”?

    (Response: I saw one good story on this by Paul Johnson on Global’s Newshour … but much of the media has let BC down by not covering or pursuing this story. In the days when the media had more resources (and frankly, better, more experienced journalists)they would have not only been all over the story and its implications, and would also have gone to all those you mentioned and various resource industries to get their reactions to this very dangerous NDP proposal … which, by the way, has not been canceled, just shelved! Perhaps it will come up in the leaders’ debates! h.o)

    • nonconfidencevote says:

      ““What do the forest companies, mills and truck loggers association think of this.”?”

      +++
      I think that a lot of companies will try and do business with the FN leaders but if there is a continuous reversal of contracts because the “elected” FN leadership is challenged by the “hereditary” chiefs…
      They will avoid dealing with FN.

      Seems to be the case in the Prairies right now…. two FN factions squabbling over who has the right to lease to non FN Farmers….
      It all comes back to money, power and greed.

      https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/audio/9.6517147

      That fight is over farm fields.
      One can only imagine the bickering, squabbling and back stabbing over a 10 billion dollar mine, gas field or logging contract.

      (Response: No problem with consulting/involving all local communities, including FN, is the decision-making process over Crown lands. However, no group …no industry organization or community board or FN body …should have EQUAL powers to the elected legislature or government. Not in a democratic state! h.o)

  3. elle says:

    I worry about the future of these deals. I remember watching the debate in the Legislature when the Nisgaa deal was done. I recall George Abbott stating that the deal contained arrangements where any land that the Nisgaa acquired that adjoined the land that the treaty dealt with would be added to the deal forever after. I never saw anything more about this and have never seen the actual wordage. Does anyone know if this is true and if so, does this apply to all treaties done after this? To me, it looks like any nation can just keep adding to their territory and we can do nothing to stop it. Soon they will own the whole province. Was this the original intent?

  4. Art Smith says:

    Hi Harvey, as usual a good stimulant to discussion on an important matter. I can foresee a number of pitfalls, as the government goes ahead with this extremely expensive program. One of the big issues is, who will they be dealing with. As has been seen before, whoever makes the initial deal with the government, is not always the ones who should be, for instance, hereditary chiefs vs elected chiefs. Another problem could be the way the FN look at contracts, they don’t see them in the same way as our representatives do. I would be very nervous if I owned property or had a business on land within any lands the government is proposing to deal with. The government has already shown they aren’t serious in dealing with these various “Nations”, but are prepared to give away the farm, so to speak. One more problem I will mention is, what will be the Federal Government’s position be. With he group we have in power now, nothing is going to be straight-forward, as they seem to be inept on every file.

    (Response: If they are “provincial” Crown lands, I don’t believe the federal government would have any say. What would really concern me, in addition to my aversion for ANY group to have power equal an elected government, is that a governing board of a militant Indigenous band could exercise blackmail demands, blocking approvals of any or all projects. Very dangerous … and yet, most of the media are ignoring the issue completely …letting the parties/leaders call the tune each day. (Thursday’s Newshour looked like a paid NDP advertising feature …featuring six clips of Eby … without a single challenge of anything he said … and no sound clips at all of Rustad on any issue! Did I miss something?) Where is real journalism???? So I doubt most of the “working” media these days would question or challenge anything FN do or demand, even when it involves Crown lands! h.o)

  5. nonconfidencevote says:

    Careful Harvey.
    This discussion might become illegal some day.

    https://www.burnabynow.com/indigenous-news/ndp-mp-introduces-bill-to-criminalize-residential-school-denialism-9576059

    And if they are going back 250 years for reparations… going back a year or two to arrest you for what is considered “free speech” today and racism tomorrow….might not be too far fetched…..

    Lunatics manning the asylum ….comes to mind….

    (Response: My defence: Habeas corpus!! h.o.)

  6. Why says:

    Leaders debate CKNW Mike Smith show Wednesday Oct 2 at 9AM. This question needs to be sent to Mike to ask?

    (Response: Good idea… people should write him: [email protected] Mike also follows me on “X” …so may already be aware. h.o)

  7. e.a.f. says:

    Politicians say a lot of things before an election.
    If Eby were to have his suggestion/paper passed into law, I’d expect there to be any number of court cases at the Supreme Court of Canada and complaints to the federal Human Rights Commission.
    This suggested legislation maybe the result of a lack of consultation with Indigenous People when the provincial government went ahead with Sitc C and a few other things. Having seen the ramifications of some decision by provincial governments on Indigenous People, the suggested legislation has some merit.
    In a way it makes me laugh. The non Indigenous People showed up in Indigenous People’s territories and destroyed, stole, killed, poisoned and now these non Indigenous People are “concerned” that that is what they fear will happen and impact them negatively. As the old saying goes: what goes around comes around/you reap what you sow.
    Truly believe people need to calm down on this topic and get over themselves before the real racist shit hit the fan.

    (Response: No group … indigenous or otherwise … should have EQUAL power with the Legislature (ie the government) to make final decisions on Crown lands. Period. h.o)

    • nonconfidencevote. says:

      “In a way it makes me laugh. The non Indigenous People showed up in Indigenous People’s territories and destroyed, stole, killed, poisoned and now these non Indigenous People are “concerned” that that is what they fear will happen and impact them negatively. As the old saying goes: what goes around comes around/you reap what you sow.”

      +++
      Yes.
      Thats what happened during the “conquest” .
      Look at the history of Europe, Asia, South America and …ironically enough…North America BEFORE the “colonizers” arrived in 1492…
      Natives killed and enslaved their “brothers” for territory and the spoils of war…for 10s of thousands of years.
      Ugly as it is.
      They were a conquered people and in any other country than Canada.
      It wouldnt have stopped there with being shoved onto Reserves….
      But I digress.
      To naively expect and demand that todays taxpayers fork over Billions of dollars in reparations without complaining…….
      Good luck with that.

    • elle says:

      I believe we are in for a world of hurt. How is all this happening when we have no say whatsoever? I am done with being accused of stealing someone’s land, poisoning, killing, etc. Not one of my family or myself has done anything to the natives to make us feel guilty. This has been allowed to happen because it is “in the middle of nowhere” so no one cares. Just wait until the government starts taking land away from the cities to give to the natives and displacing the residents there. Maybe someone will care.

      The way this has been done is increasing the anger. We see the natives getting billions of dollars and extra benefits while the rest of us get less and less. Is this not reverse discrimination? I am all for equality and help where needed but the country cannot function this way.

      (Response: I support reconciliation/compensation where REAL discrimination and exploitation took place, but I believe many Canadians feel a lot of it is just an illegitimate … but highly successful way … of shaking down governments. And the media don’t dare even raise questions … which used to be their job! h.o)

  8. Gilbert says:

    This is an important issue. The people of British Columbia need to know about it, and they need to have their voices heard. To ignore them is undemocratic.

    (Response: Absolutely correct. Let’s hope it comes up during the debate! h.o)

  9. Ijustdontknowanymore says:

    So well put Harvey. I’m in complete agreement and against that kind of dangerous policy. It is so undemocratic and a betrayal andvslap in the face to all British Columbians. Looks like the usual despicable self interest of the Ebyite clan is hard at it. These people have stooped toman all time low now. So what these bums are saying is they were voted in to be expected to serve all of us together and that’s what we pay them to do. But, looks like they haven’t a clue or don’t care what it is they are in charge for. These backstabbers have lost all sense of what their job really is. Talk about political suicide for sure. Good. Out with them. They serve nothing and no one really, except for themselves.

    (Response: It’s disappointing to see the media spending so little time on this topic. In the story of BC, this will have much more serious and possibly even disastrous implications than discussing/debating Eby’s flip flop on carbon taxes or John Rustad’s personal beliefs on Covid vaccines! Both major parties are lucky I’m retired!! ho)

    • Ijustdontknowanymore says:

      The Media people are scared of their own shadows. It is to bad you’re retired, because those politicians feet would really be held to the fire.

      (Response: The media have a responsibility to report what the leaders/parties are saying/proposing … but also have responsibilities to make sure they are not being “played” and to raise issues the people care about, even if the politicians don’t want to discuss them. h.o)

    • nonconfidencevote says:

      Retired or not.
      Keep hammering them here.
      I think you have a larger audience than most people realize…:)

      (Response: Well, I’m now getting Press Releases from both the federal government, BC Greens and NDP …so they’re clearly aware of what we discuss on here. In fact, funny story: I was at a funeral two weeks ago for the father of a close friend of mine: Eby was there too, in the second row, and when those attending were called up to the altar to bid farewell to the departed, I walked right across the altar to the casket, paid respects, and then down the center aisle, right beside Eby: he looked away, at the ceiling as I passed. Strange for a guy I used to call David (and he called me Harv) when he was with the BC Civil Liberties. The incident told me he’s either not very perceptive or he reads the blog …or what we talk about here is mentioned in his media synopsis. Neat! 🙂 h.o)

      • Nonconfidencevote says:

        Interesting.
        Eby seems like a very smart likable person. I doubt he didnt see you. A shame his politics comes first .

        I just disagree with the endless appeasement policies the NDP ( and the federal Libs force upon a financially beleaguered electorate.
        Where does it end?
        When we’re all on some sort of govt assistance?
        Like that will work.
        Nope.
        Keep plugging away here Harvey.
        A lone voice of rational thought in a sea of political correctness.

        (Response: I was actually quite flattered … that, although I’m retired, my little blog still seems to be noticed and has an impact. In fact, I suspect Eby and NDP strategists are sorry thy didn’t heed my oft-delivered advice/demands on here over the past 18 months that he should have called an election within a year of being designated “premier” by his party! 🙂 h.o)

    • D. M. Johnston says:

      The mainstream media, they are more interested in entertaining, rather investigating and reporting the news.

      Look, the NDP government is spending over and I repeat, over $16 billion to extend the Expo and Millennium Lines a mere 21.7 km. Translink wants $600 million more annually and is threatening dire consequences if they do not get it.

      Excuse me, beside the government, where is the media on this one? Nowhere to be seen.

      Oh there is a lot more, but the media ain’t interested as they rather continue with their patented “yellow journalism” and puff news stories, that are designed to sell advertising time, more than anything else.

      So any reporting on the continued First nations grift of the provincial and federal governments, not a chance!

  10. Why says:

    Eby has also committed to support Ken Sim in the elimination of the parks board. Ken has FN support and I understand that once gone the City and FN will jointly oversee all the City parks land. So not only crown land but also City parks if the NDP get elected.

    (Response: I don’t mind consultation (with ANY group(s) or organizations) but entrenching EQUAL powers with government/legislature will be dangerous and damaging. h.o)

  11. R says:

    NDP shot down municipal oversight office?
    The forever softwood lumber shake dispute?
    Fentanyl od ?
    How many general order # 5 ? BCHydro? Etc
    BCHydro flat demand starting 22 years ago?
    How many DPA in BC ?
    How many NDA in BC?

  12. Chuck B says:

    Sorry but we are giving away too much to the FN. I never knew of this latest issue from the NDP, and something has to be done about it. Will the media pick up on it … not just a 30 second piece, but research it and explain to the public and what it would mean.
    Thanks for this Harv. Another reason to take your power of the X and put it on a name that does not include the initials NDP.

    (Response: It’s still early in the campaign, but one concern I have is that the “news” media, by regurgitating press releases and spending so much time covering press conference announcements/issues determined by party strategists, is letting the parties dictate the election agenda. Back when BCTV ruled the waves, WE listened to and decided what our viewers wanted covered or asked about etc … and thus, the PEOPLE often determined what the politicians had to address if they wanted coverage that day….and not the other way around. The NDP, I’m sure, don’t want their First Nations power give-away plan to get much coverage, but the Conservatives should make a BIG deal of it, over and over again. h.o)

  13. Not Sure says:

    Interesting topic where I have no real expertise. So I am not going to take a side or start slamming whatever side some of you want to slam.

    This is my understanding.

    Courts have ruled that governments must consult with Indigenous people but they have also ruled that Indigenous people do not have veto power over any decision.

    Again only my understanding, but right now, after consulting with and trying to accommodate whatever concerns Indigenous people may have over a particular project, the final decision still rests with the government. BUT, the First Nation involved still has the right to take that final decision to court if they don’t like it.

    I have no idea what the NDP was hoping to accomplish with the amendments to the Land Act (maybe to prevent endless court cases?) but they did write up proposed legislation. Nathan Cullen says he consulted with hundreds of stakeholders and after some blowback decided to pull the legislation because it is “too contentious”. This was last February.

    Now just before an election the topic has been raised again by the Conservatives. Will the NDP try to reenact this legislation if they win? Are they being silent right now, but like the BC Liberals and the HST debacle ram it through after the election? Are the Conservatives just bringing it up as a wedge issue?

    And the key question: Did the proposed amendments give Indigenous people a veto. I read a couple of articles by a law professor that said it does although the NDP says it doesn’t.

    This is so simple to solve: Eby has to make a firm commitment that the amendments are part of this election cycle and that they will be clearly explained. Or, that he will use the next four years to consult with stakeholders and make it a part of the next election campaign. Or that it is not on the NDP radar at all right now.

    And as for a veto. Just step us through a typical process. What would happen if the government or a company wanted to do something and after consultation with a First Nation, the First Nation was opposed. What happens next? Does it die? Does it go ahead? Does it end up in court?

    Harvey, there must be one of your many readers who can give some clarity to this issue.

    (Response: My understanding of the current requirements for consultation etc., based on Supreme Court decisions, are the same as yours. The way I read the proposed changes, yes, indeed, by sharing EQUALLY in the final decisions, both the Crown and the designated FN band body, would each have VETO power. I just don’t believe ANY body (band, corporation, community organization or even the UN!) should have power equal to the elected legislature/government of BC when it comes to Crown lands. This goes well beyond partisan politics … The ultimate decision and power over public lands should remain withy the people! h.o)

  14. D. M. Johnston says:

    First nations issues are given a free pass by the media, in fact, the entire First Nation Issue has been given a free pass.

    This is more than dangerous and in the future it may go nuclear and we may see scenes that are in Gaza, right on our front doorstep.

    We have turned the First Nations into professional victims and that is bad.

    Premier Eby is a dangerous man, he is a Vancouver Vision “Visionista” and will promise anything, do anything to retain power. Eby’s motto is “to hell with the future, I want to be premier today.”

    Eby is kept in power by a BC version of the “MAGA” or NDP cult and I know this makes a lot of die hard NDP types mad, sorry.

    I am a lefty and always have been, but the NDP in BC are dangerous, deceitful and untrustworthy; they are not the NDP of old, rather a party of technocrats, bound in power by several questionable powerful lobbies, such as the First Nations.

    Something else is happening, BC has become the land of immigrants, many coming from dirt poor regions of this earth and worked damn hard to get where they are today. They question the freebies and free passes with the First Nations (and that is a huge list) and ask themselves and now others, why do they get special treatment on our Dime, Rupee, or Yuan?

    This new wave of immigration will soon elect first or second generation MLA’s, who will be much more vocal about the first nation issues and much of it will not be in the First Nations favour.

    One also has to realize, that the vast majority of First Nations communities are unsustainable, without masses of federal and provincial monies being paid is subsidies and that sad fact is ignored. You cannot live in an isolated 18th Century community and economy in the 21st Century, it just does not work, yet the likes of Eby, Trudeau, and many more spend billions of dollars doing just that.

    Forever is never forever, but the promises of forever are akin to the Luddite’s philosophy of the 19th century. One can only look South of the boarder to see the dysfunction of “Forever”. Sadly, Eby and his NDP would sell the BC’s future, to gain power today and as we all know, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

    (Response: Some very good points. The proposal to just willingly give up and share FOREVER Crown power over Crown lands should NEVER have been even proposed for discussion by the BC NDP government. Looks to me like either radical ideological extremism or just pandering: either one would be bad for the people of BC. h.o)

    • nonconfidencevote. says:

      I give this massive “land swap” about 25 to 50 years before there is HUGE push back from 60? 70? million Canadians treated as second class citizens to appease 3 million “First” Nations.
      Especially when the vast majority will have had nothing to do with “colonialism, residential schools, etc.
      Appeasement policies gifted from our unelected Premier and minority rule Prime Minister
      Yep.
      Us vs Them.
      I hope I’m alive to see the inevitable blowback.

      (Response: It will be too late. Once these rights and privileges are entrenched in law …not just policy … it will be impossible to do away with them. h.o)

  15. Stu de Baker says:

    A good piece Harvey and yet another example of the MSM letting the people down.

    You and Bob Mackin are the only ones I have seen giving any substantial ink to this. I would not have known about it, had my friends on the Sunshine Coast, with waterfront property, not become seriously impacted and involved with this.

    Most British Columbians aren’t aware of it or, if it doesn’t affect them, don’t care.

    Political chicanery after an election, no matter the party, makes this an issue the NDP should be forced to make their position, not just intentions, very clear and well known, BEFORE the election.

    (Response: Exactly. As I mentioned, we have many current, pressing problems that are getting a lot of attention, but this one has “forever” implications that could adversely affect/handicap every generation to come. And it’s not good enough that the proposal has just been “shelved”: it deserves to be front and center, both in the news and also any leaders’ debate. h.o)

  16. Nonconfidencevote says:

    The provincial NDP and the Federal Liberals have laid down before the almighty First Nations.
    They have signed agreements that will commit future generations of taxpayers to BILLION in reparations.

    Perhaps we should follow the New Zealand govts recent “reinterpretation” of Treaty Rights signed by the British Govt in the 1880’s.
    Perhaps a Canadian govt with a spine could “reinterpret” Canada’s treaties signing over 250 Years ago in the 1750’s with a mad King who was more interested in clocks than his Empire and the colonists in it….

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-19/new-zealand-unwinding-maori-rights-treaty-of-waitangi/104364638

    To put one group of people on a pedestal “because they were here first”…is a complete repudiation of what a democracy is.

    I for one will never vote for the Provincial NDP or the Federal Liberals after what they have done to this country in the last 10 years.

    (Response: I believe the issue MUST be discussed and debated by the public: it’s far too important and consequential to just leave to politicians making decisions/deals as big as this behind closed doors. h.o)

    • D. M. Johnston says:

      Just a quibble.

      Quote: “a mad King who was more interested in clocks than his Empire and the colonists in it….”

      Sorry complete “Hollywood” and Walt Disney history. First off it would be Parliament who would be interested or not interested as the English civil war, which happened a centruy earlier determined that Parliament ran the show and not the King. Charles the first lost his head over that one.

      According to the historian Andrew Roberts, “George III never bought or sold a slave in his life. He never invested in any of the companies that did such a thing. He signed legislation to abolish slavery.” George wrote a document in the 1750s “denouncing all of the arguments for slavery, and calling them an execration and ridiculous and ‘absurd'”.

      That is my kind of “madness”.

      George III, was very interested in science and his vast collection of mathematical and scientific instruments is now owned by King’s College London but housed in the Science Museum, London.

      George III was dubbed “Farmer George” to mock his interest in mundane matters rather than politics, but he was keenly interested in science and animal husbandry. To top this, he was also very thrifty and was known to walk and chat with local squires on a regular basis.

      So King George was not as mad as one would think and like many of our homeless, suffered from debilitating mental issues at the end of his life.

      • nonconfidencevote says:

        So if the King just “rubber stamped” an Act of Parliament…
        The First Nations should be suing the British Parliament?
        A Parliament that had zero intention of honoring their side of the Treaty.
        Canadian were just as blameless as the FN.
        Since we didnt have true autonomy until 1982?
        When Papa Trudeau brought home “our” constitution?
        Another reason to wash our hands of this political, fiscal foolishness we have currently found ourselves in 250 YEARS after the fact…

  17. RIsaak says:

    Great topic Harv, here’s a lil CBC article on how some FN leaders have operated in the recent past, something which should give pause to any notion of allowing them to control the usage of Crown lands.
    https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/piapot-first-nation-indigenous-land-claims

    The legal pot issue has a very serious FN dichotomy up here in the Okanagan, many reservation pot retail outlets, effectively shuttering many govt. sanctioned and tax paying pot retailers. All that’s happened up here is the old guard pot sellers replaced with FN retailers, neither of whom paid/pay taxes, how many billions was legal pot going to return for the govt. coffers?

    Many battles seen for FN band leadership, some not so honorable types still ruling and profiting from items which should profit the band far more than the leadership.

    Maybe Harper’s stance of increased funding tied to accounting audits was not such a bad concept?

    Addiction issues aplenty from what I see up here, some FN leaders openly admit so, others seem not to care, who profits from poison sold on reserves or why would anyone choose to look the other way when crack houses are present?

    I have many decent FN friends, not addicts, not profiteering from their status, all somewhat angry over addiction issues and open drug use. More FN focused treatment centers needed, more methods of getting addicts to enroll in those programs and no chance the NDP’s plan is in anyone’s best interest in it’s current form.

    (Response: I think it’s a good idea for governments to consult, listen to and co-operate with local communities before making decisions on Crown lands. However, only the elected government of ALL British Columbians should make the final decisions. The implications of giving ANY other group or body equal or veto powers over decision-making are quite serious and could even be disastrous for future generations. h.o)

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