That Was Fast!
Prince George, B.c.- Within hours of the Provincial Government reps being tossed from an LNG forum in Ft. Nelson with First Nations, comes a change of heart on the Natural Gas emissions exemption from Environmental Assessments.
Environment Minister Mary Polak has released the following statement about the amendment to the Reviewable Projects Regulation concerning sweet natural gas processing plants and ski and all-season resorts.
"I would like to acknowledge First Nations concerns about amendments to the Reviewable Projects Regulation under the Environmental Assessment Act. Our government apologizes for failing to discuss the amendment with First Nations prior to its approval.
"Our government is committed to a strong, respectful and productive relationship with First Nations. That is why we will rescind the amendment that would have removed the requirement for an environmental assessment for sweet gas facilities and destination
resorts, until we have undertaken discussions with First Nations.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) has been made aware of this decision, and respects the need for our government to have further discussions with First Nations.
"Our government sees a significant value in continuing to develop a Government to Government relationship with all First Nations. We remain actively engaged with First Nations in northeastern British Columbia, including shared decision making that respects the
environment, First Nation values, and Treaty 8 and its associated rights."
Earlier today, Chief Sharleen Gale stood up at the forum in Ft. Nelson and issued a warning to industry representatives. “We are the governments of our territories. We are the ones that make the decisions on our lands. We are the ones that are enforcing our rights. Nobody else makes decisions for us. This is what you need to bring back to your CEOs, to your boardrooms, to the people you work with.”
The President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs called the changes a betrayal that could put a halt to the BC government’s hopes for a trillion-dollar LNG industry.
Comments
B.C. falling short on environmental monitoring, ombudsman says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-falling-short-on-environmental-monitoring-ombudsman-says/article18050347/
I am the government of my territory too. Except if I don’t pay city taxes on it regularly.
We are the governments of our territories. We are the ones that make the decisions on our lands. We are the ones that are enforcing our rights. Nobody else makes decisions for us.
Amazing arrogant statement.
I never thought I would see the day where our First Nations would have to step in and actually do our Federal and Provincial Ministry of Environmentâs jobs!
http://www.raesidecartoon.com/dbtest/images/7/3887.gif
What a âjokeâ this whole situation has become! It seems the only ones that give a crap about our environment are our First Nations, my deepest appreciation and respect goes out to them for that!
Well then maybe the first nations should pay the billions to extract the nat gas. Of course that will never happen. If they allow
the nat gas co to operate, they will have royalties and will have a much better quality of life. Even get to sleep in.
What happened to the seven comments on the other post ? .. This is a battle that will never go away but you have to admit that what in the HELL was Clarke and her govt thinking. Snakes in the grass everywhere, when you say your sorry it means you did something wrong. Royalties aside, this band was to be consulted and work with the govt on this project.What do you think was going to happen ???
Who were the Provincial government reps?Would have liked to seen the look on their faces when they got kicked out.Good on Chief Gale.
Comment Posted by: seamut on April 16 2014 6:56 PM
We are the governments of our territories.� We are the ones that make the decisions on our lands.� We are the ones that are enforcing our rights.� Nobody else makes decisions for us.
Amazing arrogant statement.
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Clearly the same statement all the rest of us need to make as well. Our province and country do not belong to govt’s and corporations!
“What a âjokeâ this whole situation has become! It seems the only ones that give a crap about our environment are our First Nations, my deepest appreciation and respect goes out to them for that!”
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I’m not first nations and I give a crap! Anyone else out there in the same boat?
In the same boat? Would that be a sailboat or a powerboat? Could we settle for the crude oil from Alberta being shipped to China in sailboats? I think that would be a satisfactory and mutual compromise. What say you? Meecha half way. Think of the children and the fishys.
I agree Dragonmaster, I am not First Nations either but I give a crap! It took a young Chief with courage to stand up to the dictatorship in Victoria, and she stopped them in their tracks!
Looks like first nations are trying to run the whole province instead of work with the province.
5 or 10 years ago, this thread would have been full if inflammatory and racist remarks. Now, roughly half of the people responding are on side with the First Nations. I’d say the winds of change are a blowing . . .
I agree with Dragonmaster that it was a statement more and more Canadians of all stripes should be stating considering the state of our democracy.
The biggest success of the BC liberals appears to be surrendering their responsibility for sovereignty on just about every file relating to the environment, our forests, and corpocracy.
Posted by: NMG on April 17 2014 4:24 AM
5 or 10 years ago, this thread would have been full if inflammatory and racist remarks.
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Those comment are probably being deleted as soon as they’re posted. :)
You can watch the video on you tube , just type in the chief Gale name, shows the whole lot of them getting up and walking out the door.
What do you think is going to happen if Enbridge starts building their pipeline? Does anyone remember the Logging blockades?
@NMG, if the comment is not politically correct, it is removed.
Add my name to the list of those who give a crap for the environment. Since it seems like no one else has the cojones to stand up to big business and their big government cronies, I’m grateful that 1st Nations are willing stewards of the land and have the voice to say, “Back off!”
You classify inflammatory or racist comments as “not politically correct”? Wow.
there are more than a few posters on this site that seem to regularly post overtly racist comments about first nations without them being deleted immediately. i’ve responded to a few and had my comment deleted.
@NMG: If you question something, you’re branded a racist. I see.
Ditto, JB. Free speech? Only if enough people like it. Don’t question your own beliefs. If somebody doesn’t like them, get rid of them. Please let every one else think for you. Baaaah. Baaaah. The sheepdog will think for you.
The first nation are not all about stewardship of the land, Aren’t they the biggest exporter of raw logs out of BC.
They are no different than the rest of us capitalists. We are all responsible for the stewardship of our land.
Should they have raised the Sulphur emission. No, they should have not. They gave into the petroleum producers. The Ministry should have said, nope in the first place.
Good to see the representatives of presumptuous and arrogant government & big business put in their place, it is long past time for that to have happened.
Having said that, I agree with a previous poster in that some of the Indian nations are becoming somewhat arrogant and presumptuous as well. Some of these nations make a lot of demands, unfortunately, the demands usually amount to ‘a bigger slice of the pie’ or more money, same thing.
I fail to understand why thus far there has not been a final reckoning and settlement with the first nations of Canada, so that all her citizens can then move forward on equal ground, united against the rapacious nature of large corporations, and their willing supplicants who form our governments.
Not racist, just want equality for all citizens.
metalman.
“If you question something, you’re branded a racist”
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No, you are branded a racist if you act like a racist.
Believing that inflammatory or racist comments are “politically incorrect” as opposed to simply being inflammatory or racist, will put you well on the path of getting there.
Well said, metalman.
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