Statements from concerned politicians, a series of road blockades and hunger strikes are sweeping the country as the national Idle No More movement crosses Canada.
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has been on a hunger strike near Parliament Hill since Dec. 11 to draw attention to aboriginal issues.
These protesters – who are part of the national Idle No More movement – are denouncing the Harper government’s omnibus Bill C-45, which they claim eliminates treaty and aboriginal rights set out in the Constitution.
Take a look at what’s at stake for First Nations communities and why they’re protesting.
Breaking down Bill C-45 & Idle No More
The Indian Act
Idle No More spokesperson Eriel Deranger says the bill includes changing the procedures that lead up to the removal of land. Basically, she says, the amendments makes federal removal of land easier. In the past, she explains, referendums were required for land removal proposals, and the referendums had to include all members of a First Nation. Now, she says, either a meeting or a referendum must be called, and the majority vote at that meeting decides the result, no matter how few people are at the meeting. In addition, says Deranger, the Minister can call a meeting himself for the removal of land.
The Navigable Waters Protection Act
The Navigable Waters Protection Act would become the Navigation Protection Act. Changes to the law would see thousands of lakes and streams removed from federal protection. Critics say that move takes away environmental oversight of the waterways.
“Important lakes and rivers in my region are being stripped of protection,” NDP MP Glen Thibeault has said. Thibeault represents the Sudbury, Ontario riding.
The Harper government said the changes would streamline regulation and reduce red tape that was holding up projects along waterways. Transportation Minister Denis Lebel added many waterways will still be covered by environmental protection under other laws.
However, Idle No More supports fear the changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act remove protection of more than 99.9 per cent of lakes and rivers in Canada, says Deranger.
“It’s a direct violation of treaty rights,” she adds. “Lakes and rivers are often the centre and focal point of communities.”
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The Environmental Assessment Act
Deranger says the Environmental Assessment Act has been weakened under the new bill. She says now, certain projects don’t have to go through a significant review process, including those that involve natural resource extraction.
The changes in Bill C-45 would also eliminate the Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission, which is an independent body responsible for making science-based decisions to protect Canadians from toxic chemicals and hazardous materials in the workplace.
The Fisheries Act
Critics say the Fisheries Act and the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act were critical laws that were used to support environmental stewardship, clean water and healthy oceans for all Canadians. They say the changes included in the omnibus bill would further weaken Canada’s environmental laws, remove critical federal safeguards, and reduce the amount of public consultation and input on projects that impact the environment and ecosystem. Critics argue the changes to the Fisheries Act would give industry the option of asking that their existing commitments to protect fish habitat be changed or cancelled, or that they no longer be responsible for providing compensation for lost or damaged habitat.
Deranger says the biggest concern with changes to this law is that “aboriginal fishing rights” were added to the Fisheries Act. However, she says, those same rights are already included in Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution. Idle No More supporters worry that this addition means the Conservative government could be considering removing Section 35 from the Constitution.
“The concern is that if the government is able to push this bill through… it could completely erode our democratic rights in our country,” adds Deranger.
More on Idle No More
The Idle No More campaign was started by four women from Saskatchewan against a number of bills before Parliament. They are particularly critical of Bill C-45, which they say weakens environmental laws.
“We started discussing that and felt that we need to bring attention to this legislation,” said Jessica Gordon, who lives in Saskatoon.
Jan O’Driscoll, a spokeswoman for Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan, said the department has made efforts to consult with aboriginal leaders. He said they continue work on pressing issues on reserves like education, clean drinking water and housing.
“While we’ve made significant strides, there is still work to be done,” O’Driscoll said in an email.
“We’ll continue to partner with First Nations to create the conditions for healthier, more self-sufficient communities.”
What the politicians are saying
On Dec. 29, former prime minister Joe Clark met with Spence and said she has a “humble and achievable” vision. He expressed concern that Canada and First Nations are headed in a “dangerous direction.”
Liberal leadership candidates Justin Trudeau and Marc Garneau have expressed their support for Spence.
On Dec. 26, Trudeau visited Spence in a teepee on an island in the Ottawa River that many aboriginals consider to be sacred land.
Trudeau tweeted afterwards that it was “deeply moving” to meet her.
He said the chief is “willing to sacrifice everything for her people” and that “she shouldn’t have to.”
In a letter posted on his website, Garneau calls on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to meet with Spence.
“You cannot continue to ignore this request,” wrote Garneau. “This is not a question of not wanting to set a precedent.”
Earlier in the week, Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan expressed concern for Spence’s health and urged her to end her protest.
Spence is seeking a meeting with the prime minister, the governor general and First Nations leaders to discuss the government’s relationship with First Nations.
– With files from Emily Mertz, Global News
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