Minister Duncan Optimistic, BC Treaty Process Salvageable

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?

What's the Problem with Treaties: The Harper Government Commitment?

It's difficult to say how much a single Cabinet Minister can influence the Harper Government, since the Prime Minister, in practice, is primus inter pares or 'first among equals'. It is even more difficult to say if Minister Duncan supports First Nations, let alone treaties. It is reported here that the Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission has called on the federal government to re-commit to the BC Treaty process, but was the Harper Government ever committed?

Before John Duncan was appointed Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada, his track record with First Nations in BC was less than collegial. It is reported here that Duncan,

"...has established a record of words and deeds over the last thirty years, as a forester and parliamentarian, that amount to a crusade against Indigenous peoples—stoking flames of racial bigotry, attacking constitutionally-protected aboriginal rights, and advocating for their assimilation and permanent status as impoverished, second-class citizens in Canada." 

Many questions remain. Is Minister Duncan responsible for re-committing the federal government to the BC Treaty Process; or is it the Prime Minister calling the shots. Is the call to shut down the BC Treaty Process music to the Ministers' ears; or, is the Harper Government ready to re-commit?

Growing international pressure, and the Cohen inquiry don't leave much opportunity for the federal government to commit or re-commit to the BC Treaty process. Look for advances at the In-SHUCK-ch negotiating table for signs of life in the BC Treaty process.

Is the Harper Government the Problem?

Minister Polak and Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre, point to the Harper Government for wasting time and money:

Mary Polak, B.C.'s minister of aboriginal relations, said Ottawa's long delay in moving the Tla'amin treaty forward is one of the holdups recently criticized by the B.C. Treaty Commission. Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre said earlier this month that if federal negotiators aren't given enough authority to reach agreements... governments should consider winding up a process that is nearly 20 years along with more than a billion dollars spent on negotiations alone [full story here].

Can Minister Duncan turn it around, or is the Harper Government committed to wasting time and money? Is Minister Polak deflecting to shield her government from part of the blame?

What's in this Blog?

Word Cloud analysis of BC Treaty News Blog to date.

Minister Duncan: Pace of Negotiations Not Good

Pace of negotiations not good say Duncan, chiefs

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