Let’s work together, premier urges First Nations
Premier Darrell Pasloski was unwavering this morning in his defence of the proposed amendments to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act.
By Chuck Tobin on March 30, 2015
Premier Darrell Pasloski was unwavering this morning in his defence of the proposed amendments to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act.
Speaking in Whitehorse before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the premier insisted the amendments are critical to the health of the territory’s economy.
“Together, these changes stand to benefit Yukon because they focus on the following areas: clarification of roles and responsibilities; cost-effective and efficient process; and the value and timeliness of the assessment process,” he told the committee.
“It is also essential that Yukon remains competitive with other jurisdictions while aiming to protect and promote the environmental and socio-economic well-being of the territory and its people.”
For the first time since the division over the proposed amendments surfaced last year, the premier offered the First Nations the opportunity to work together through a bi-lateral accord to see how they might make the amendments work for the Yukon.
When federal legislation has fallen short of meeting the territory’s needs in the past, the Yukon government and the First Nations have crafted their own solutions, Pasloski told the committee.
“We done it before and we can do it again,” Pasloski said.
“If there are concerns about policy direction or capacity or delegation, let’s agree on how those functions will be implemented on the ground.”
Pasloski flatly rejected a suggestion by NDP committee member Dennis Bevington of the N.W.T. that the premier’s support for the controversial amendments is killing the relationship between the Yukon government and First Nations.
The amendments will not and cannot legally take away from the laws and regulations that government development in the territory, Pasloski said.
The premier said they do not and cannot run counter to the aboriginal land claim agreements, because where there is inconsistency between the assessment act and the land claim agreements, the agreements prevail.
“The proposed amendments to YESAA will, in our view, improve environmental and socio-economic outcomes.”
Shortly after beginning his address, the premier was interrupted by a group of local drummers who walked into the hearing unannounced.
While committee chair Blake Richards of the Conservative Party was quick to call order, he was equally quick to permit the drumming to continue when head drummer Sean Smith explained it’s aboriginal tradition to welcome guests with a drum song.
Proposed amendments to the assessment legislation have raised the anger of Yukon First Nations which have threatened legal action if they are passed by Parliament.
Industry, on the other hand, is largely in support of the proposed changes, as they see them as streamlining the screening process and establishing a higher degree of certainty.
Grand Chief Ruth Massie of the Council of Yukon First Nations presented to the committee right after Pasloski.
She was followed by eight other chiefs before the committee broke for lunch at noon today. (See coverage of those comments in Tuesday’s Star.)
The First Nations accuse the Yukon government of working behind closed doors to advance a handful of changes the First Nations do not support, and did not agree to before they were included in the list of amendments proposed by Ottawa.
They argue the amendments will affect the independence of the assessment board, and will weaken the environmental screening process.
The amendments to the assessment act, which is federal legislation arising out of the Yukon’s aboriginal land claim settlements, have already been passed by the Senate, and have been given second reading by the House of Commons.
Seven of the 10 committee members, including Yukon MP Ryan Leef, are here today to conduct the hearings at the Gold Rush Inn. Four of the seven members are Conservatives, two are New Democrats and one is Liberal.
Some 70-plus people were in the audience to listen to this morning’s presenters, including the First Nations leaders and their staff.
While questions from the NDP and Liberal MPs challenged the Yukon government’s position, those put forward by Leef and his Conservative colleagues largely assisted the premier in explaining and defending his position.
Pasloski rejected a suggestion by NDP committee member Carol Hughes that had the premier and his officials been open and transparent, had they been up front with First Nations about the controversial amendments, they wouldn’t be here today.
Her comments prompted a quiet but noticeable stir of support from the audience.
But the premier said his government worked with First Nations every step of the way through the mandatory five-year review of the legislation and subsequent meetings. Whatever recommendations and comments it forwarded to the federal government, it shared with the First Nations, he insisted.
Pasloski was accompanied by Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Scott Kent, who did not make a formal address, but did assist in answering questions from committee members.
Kent pointed out when the assessment act came into effect several years ago, it was viewed as the leading example in Canada of progressive screening legislation.
But that reputation has slipped in recent years, he said. Making the recommended changes to the assessment act, changes that come after an exhaustive review, will help restore the reliability and certainty the investment community is looking for, Kent added.
“These amendments that are being proposed will benefit projects across the board,” the minister told committee members.
“Anything we can do to make sure we protect and respect environmental integrity is important, but making it as efficient as possible is also important.”
Solid in his defence of the proposed changes, the premier told the committee there are more than 70 amendments that all parties agreed on, representing a notable achievement in co-operation.
For those that were not agreed to, there is the method of working through a new bi-lateral accord that speaks to how those amendments will be implemented, Pasloski said.
He said when the federal legislation came down regarding authority over oil and gas in the territory, the Yukon government and the First Nations entered into their own Oil and Gas Accord to iron out differences.
They did the same when the federal government transferred federal jurisdiction over land and resources with the 2003 Devolution Transfer Agreement, Pasloski said.
“Today I am proposing that Yukon leaders once again take up that challenge,” the premier said. “I have heard and understand the First Nation concerns with these amendments.
“So, let’s be leaders in our own house and negotiate a bilateral accord on implementation that resolves those issues.”
In his conclusion, the premier encouraged the federal government to pass the amendments, and he asked the “chiefs to sit down as partners in this territory and make our own way.”
See letters.
Comments (23)
Up 16 Down 3
First Nations have many years of abuse and don't trust governments on Apr 4, 2015 at 9:44 am
First Nations have many years of abuse and don't trust governments as there is a long history of not being treated fairly.
Up 17 Down 2
Premier can't be trusted and does not understand dealing in good faith on Apr 4, 2015 at 9:40 am
The Premier has shown he cannot be trusted and does not understand how to deal in good faith just by his actions.
Up 19 Down 9
Liberals and NDP can't be trusted with our economy on Apr 4, 2015 at 9:31 am
History has shown the liberals and NDP can't be trusted with our economy as both have destroyed it when in power.
Up 33 Down 2
Where are you NDP leader on Apr 2, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Where are you NDP leader on this issue? I sat across the table with you in land claims in the early 1990's what do you say?
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CJ on Apr 2, 2015 at 10:10 am
Nobody needed to buy Dan Lang roses to get him to support, if not instigate, this latest attempt to undermine the final agreements. Lang's antipathy towards First Nations rights is long and on the record.
Of all the things that bug me about the right wing governments, it's that they think the rest of us are stupid that gets to me the most, while they vastly over-estimate their own intelligence. Darrell Pasloski thinks he's offering an olive branch by suggesting discussions after the legislation is passed. Do you laugh or cry?
But what are you gonna do? They get elected (or appointed) again and again. For generations. Partly because instead of doing some preventive or ongoing maintenance, those who oppose them want to tear the house down and rebuild it. I'm talking about voting. While crowds are standing outside the house looking at blueprints, Harper et al are walking in the house and locking the doors.
Up 24 Down 5
The Premier lacks leadership and skills/knowledge in how to build relationship and facilitate programs for the Yukon on Apr 2, 2015 at 9:58 am
The Premier lacks leadership and skills/knowledge in how to build relationship and facilitate effective programs that all Yukoners can support. Programs that effect people have to be negotiated not forced upon on them such as First Nations. MR Premier employee someone who can help you negotiate fair and reasonable programs because you do not have the knowledge or skills to do so or we would not have the First Nations so opposite to your action on bill 6.
Drop the four amendments.
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Groucho d'North on Apr 1, 2015 at 6:43 pm
Apart from the UFA, the individual agreements and all the other legal mumbo-jumbo, this is getting tiresome. Only the lawyers are benefitting in this debate. It seems this is not about working together to share the rich resources of the Yukon as was one of the key objectives during the creation of the agreements; I remember it being said in speeches by Johnny O and the then CYI leadership. Turns out, it seems what this is all about is who has a veto on development and who gets the gravy when projects do get the go-ahead. Both sides in this debate need to smarten up and come to an agreement. Enough political posturing, our livelihoods are at stake here, and some of us have real jobs that depend on the fruits of our labor more than transfer payments. The part that really pisses me off is the trouble makers get the pensions while I have to eek out a living and get by with what I can save in an economy that is continually a political football. Smarten up!
Up 28 Down 6
YukonMax on Apr 1, 2015 at 11:45 am
"Canadian Petroleum Producers lobby group who has seduced our Senator Dan Lang." He should have charged his fake expenses to them and not the taxpayers...just saying
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Stu Summer on Mar 31, 2015 at 6:31 pm
Josey Wales
"to grab the bag pipes and ....Interrupt it"- please be more tolerant and thoughtful.
I bet you did not grow up here or suffer abuse in a residential school or lose your parents for years, or suffer from colonial occupation and have to fight for respect then fight again and again to maintain your negotiated rights.
Up 36 Down 15
Sally Wright on Mar 31, 2015 at 4:17 pm
I am so proud to live in a Territory where we support our community and stand together to protect the only home we have, Earth.
The 4 contentious amendments to S-6 come straight from the Yukon Minerals Advisory Board 2013 report and re-enforced by the Canadian Petroleum Producers lobby group who has seduced our Senator Dan Lang.
The idea is a Harper tactic to distract and impoverish First Nations through litigation.
Mr. Harper is desperately trying to change the channel on the consequences of his crooked ideology, and his sell-out to the oil industry. His agenda and policies have landed his Oilgarchy smack dab on the wrong side of history. The consequences of climate change are writ large every day on the internet and Harper is having a hell of a time denying it. Harper needs big distractions so Canadians stop wondering about the massive layoffs, where their jobs have gone, why is the dollar so low, and why is the low price of
oil not making them more happy.
Harper also has some very problematic legal issues to deal with. His government has broken the law more than any other in Canadian history. From election fraud, regulatory manipulations, trampling people's rights to clean water, and a stable Climate, and next week Senator Duffy is going to trial and the PM will have a difficult time getting out of testifying since he appointed the guy and used him as a fundraiser adnauseum. Harper threw Duffy under the bus, and Duffy is a storyteller, so this is going to be interesting.
Harper needs distractions because an election is coming. In the past he had Rob Ford, but now the stakes are so much higher. So when the North stands up to the bullying he just undermines First Nations Treaties and impoverishes them in court. A couple of mentally unstable people act out the games, that are rife on the internet, by attacking Parliament Hill and the government
grossly enlarges the threat to make excuses for spying on activists (which they already do) and CSIS gets caught hiring people to create fear of young people radicalizing. Bombing the helpless people of the Middle East (protecting the assets of oil industry while they are doing it) seems like a painless and profitable solution.
I reject the culture of fear that is being perpetuated by the Harper Government. I happen to know that we have the tools, the compassion and the truth on our side in this Battle with the Machines.
The age of oil is done, it tipped sometime in the last 9 months. Everyday I hear hopeful things; people standing up for their rights, sharing information, showing up, educating themselves, and asking difficult questions of our leaders. Obama knows it has tipped too, that is why such progressive policy directives are rolling out of the States. I can't wait until next month when the US takes over chairmanship of the Arctic Council. They have a massive renewable energy agenda that is pan northern in scope.
Our oil addiction is a big one to kick, there is a lot of inertia and the ramifications are vast. But, we are not going back to the stone age like the industry would like us to believe. Humans need to learn that we only have one Earth, She is precious and as many cultures recognize, when She is out of sorts, we are no more than motes of dust. I believe it is the Earth that brought about the human awakening that has led to us to turn our backs on oil.
Harper, sooner or later, will fail. It will be done by the cumulative impacts of small actions of many. The drumming of the First Nations, the changing of a light bulb, the simple act of handshake and thank you, all pull together to an unstoppable act of love.
This meeting was a turning point. The Federal government came north and found a population firmly behind the First Nations that have the constitutional right to defend our right to clean water, intact ecosystems and a stable climate. We are not going away.
I love this place.
Up 17 Down 41
Rorex1983 on Mar 31, 2015 at 2:30 pm
A lot of don't touch our land claims, work with us FNs, and other non-sense.
Let's be clear the amendments don't change, they already consulted on bill. Essentially all the amendments deal with implementation and while I agree that the government should have consulted FNs about it, I also think that sitting down with them is doing just that.
FNs need to get it out of their heads that the land claims say anything other then "consult" Yukon First Nations. Consult doesn't mean do what they say or come to an agreement, it means seek information or advice from. It is also clear that the FNs have yet to say exactly what they take issue with. Its quite clear that Land Claim Agreements will of course supersede anything covered in this bill. There are portions of the Yukon that are not FN settled land in those areas this bill will in full effect.
I also have to come out and say that in my opinion a lot of these "complaints" come down to FNs wanting to be paid additional honoraria money. Take a second and think about that, you will never see FNs sit down with the government unless the government is paying them. Those individuals attending are not only being paid by the government but by their own band too. Pretty sad that these elected officials need to be paid to represent their people who are already paying them.
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History in the Yukon on Mar 31, 2015 at 9:19 am
History has shown that the Yukon and First Nations can come to workable solution that supports a balanced approach and land claims is an example of that.
Negative comments help nothing but creates division which we don't need or helps nothing but fuel bad feelings which is not needed.
Up 18 Down 52
Josey Wales on Mar 31, 2015 at 8:56 am
Hey nope...you illustrated very well what is wrong with the politics of the cultural elitists.
Oh sorry was my "interpretation" faulty as per your "agenda"?
One country, one people...everything else is gibberish.
Up 60 Down 25
What a joke on Mar 31, 2015 at 7:44 am
What does the paz think this is, it is not 1500 and we are not trading furs for beads. Don't touch our Final Land Claim Agreements without our consent, bottom line. Then we can talk.
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smoke signalz on Mar 31, 2015 at 6:45 am
Pasloski wants to work with us? Then if this was true then he shouldn't have tried to sneak in these 4 amendments & then been honest that he was the one behind them.
If he really wants to work with us then he should either support or ask that these 4 amendments be withdrawn or that the bill be tabled and then sit down with us to work together so that we address all of our issues together.
Up 84 Down 20
Something to think about... on Mar 31, 2015 at 12:10 am
A very sad day when a elected politician gets up and lies to a federal committee. The First Nations political organizations will have to go to court and sue these idiots and most likely win...when will these political losers finally realize that they are just wasting tax payers money on useless court cases they will never win.
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Josey Wales on Mar 30, 2015 at 10:28 pm
Hmm...I'll have to remember next time there is a national chief's convention, or the next RS healing tour...to grab the bag pipes and ....
Interrupt it.
Certain that will go over, like a fart in church.
Up 83 Down 22
Sloopy on Mar 30, 2015 at 7:33 pm
"Let's work together as long as you do things our way". The Conservative mantra.
Up 61 Down 22
Stu Summer on Mar 30, 2015 at 6:04 pm
The premier uses many dogmatic words that are empty, same with Ryan Leef.
First Nations and the rest of Yukon population know who is really listening to them!
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According to NDP supporter Dave Dixon on Mar 30, 2015 at 5:56 pm
NDP supporters have read the documents that the change in the regulation will just shorten the process and not weaken it which is OK.
Those statement were made in this paper.
No one has stated in fact what the real problem is with the changes.
Please print the issues with the new changes so we can all assess the facts.
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BnR on Mar 30, 2015 at 5:53 pm
"whatever recommendations and comments it forwarded to the federal government, it shared with the First Nations, he insisted."
Ok, that's not working with First Nations, that is just telling them what you are going to be doing. And now he's saying he'll sit down and discuss with them how they will implement the amendments they don't agree with.
Darrell, it's just not going to work like that. Even mining companies want you to drop the controversial amendments and work with First Nations. Swallow your pride and quit messing around,
And Ryan. Well, what did we expect.
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Lost in the Yukon on Mar 30, 2015 at 4:02 pm
The premier is as committed to working with First Nations now as he was when he was a pharmacist ... or did I mean "exploiting"
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nope on Mar 30, 2015 at 3:25 pm
It takes a special person to push agendas they know are harmful to the people who put them in office. Just following orders right? Integrity is nothing but a memory in today's world. Everyone just wants that fat cheque. To the hell with anyone else.