The Proprietor Review

A hand full of people with placards were on the sidewalk on Voght this AM. they had a concern about Bill C-45.

They said that it passed on December 4th and chiefs were not allowed in to parliament., that it was omnibus and that it took away First people’s rights. One person, a student said that there was an information session as well at NVIT today at 3:00. This person seemed confident in saying that it effected riparian rights and that it takes thousands of water bodies out of federal protection status.

One person says that the bill that passed December 4. and 110  lakes and 82 rivers are left with environmental protection out of the millions that had protection, many by first nation actions.

An information meeting outlining the concerns of locals including respected band member Lenard Joe., Joe said he was grateful for the legacy he has from his father and elders even in being involved in the 1972 local decision not to need an Indian Agent. Percy Joe is a local grand chief to the 5 bands here..

Joe related that he was taken to mother earth by his father and didn”t remember ever being told that “this is where we hunt” “you need to know that”  but remembers an installation of “this is our environment we must respect it”

He related the value of his degree and that science is fundamental to all action , and he has embraced the standard and desirability  of measurable that government requires in environmental data and regulation.

Joe also  reenforced certifiable standards and said that because of his practice of “we stay” referring to his business Grizzly Man resources and his membership and involvement with Shachan band council that they have become “experts of the day”.

Percy Joe  talked of Band education funding being affected by own source provisions and that his band would only be able to get 30 percent funding  , “some only 5″ this may effect our ability to pay for education”

Arnie Narcissus of the Lower Nicola Indian Band spoke and related the history of activism that saw the First Nation people come to win many court decisions about their rights.

A sence that collective action is necessary to have a voice was a theme of  todays presentation at NVIT.

And a student at NVIT says that this is the road to total assimilation.

Acknowledgement that the omnibus bill is putting economy first was central to the discussion.

Editors note:

The jobs and growth bill comes into effect with the appropriation bill C-45 a bill that in part address’ borrowing money for the budget expenditure that expired March 31 2011. Numbers of the regulations in the bill only come into force by order in council ( the cabinet).

National human rights day is an appropriate day to draw attention to this passed budget bill and its omnibus nature including stiffer criminal sanctions.

Below is   the earlier C-45 alluding to coming into force by Royal Assent.

Bill C-45 (Appropriation Act No. 3, 2010-11) received Royal Assent on 29 June 2010 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2011. The Act provides for the sum of $ 3 312 036 414,00 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.

The current bill c 45- 41st parliament 1st session is having its second reading in the senate today and has 4 of 6 of the process to be in effect. The 41st parliament started June 2012. the current bill is sponsored by the federal finance minister.

Today in History: December 10th 1948

The United Nations adopts the universal bill of human rights.

Related articles

• Human Rights Day: Defending Free Expression, Online and Off (advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org)
• Environment and Citizenship in Canadian History (activehistory.ca)