Minister Duncan says BC Treaty process is worth the time, effort, and money. A view that might make Premier Christy Clark rethink her statement this morning and get behind NDP Leader Adrian Dix in supporting the In-SHUCK-ch Nation treaty negotiations.
Duncan says he understands the frustration coming from the BC Premier and industry leaders. “I’m well aware of all of those statements … and it’s a recognition of reality. The process is a slow process,”
Duncan says he takes responsibility. “I will wear it if there’s issues that are obvious that we should be addressing that we’re not and I’m prepared to try and make changes.”
Both the federal and B.C. governments have stressed the importance of boosting Canada’s resource sector in the face of a possible global recession.
“We recognize that not having certainty is an impediment to economic development and to the well-being of first nations and society in general,” Duncan said. The minister said he agrees with Chief BC Treaty Commissioner Sophie Pierre that 12 to 16 treaties could be completed by 2015 if changes are made.
“We could probably do that, and I would consider that great progress, and so that’s something that we’ll try and do,” Duncan said. “And just looking over the next 12 months I think we can contribute to an order of magnitude that would get us there.” This bodes well for the In-SHUCK-ch Nation, close to a final agreement and the Ktunaxa, close to the end of stage 4 of negotiations.
Minister Duncan agrees with the BC Treaty Commission on several points. “We agree with the treaty commission and others that some of those tables should probably just be shut down and we should focus on the ones that are making progress,” he said
“We have to bring a sense of urgency so you’re not actually finding me disagreeing with Sophie on all this. I’m quite supportive of what her direction is.” See the full story here.
The outstanding question is, does the Prime Minister agree or is Premier Christy Clark's pessimism warranted?
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