by John Weston I stand by the Tla’Amin (Sliammon) First Nation people and the people of Powell River and have worked to hasten a treaty. As Powell River’s member of parliament, I have made countless visits; operated an effective Powell River office run by one of the country’s most experienced constituency assistants; fought for your interests in Ottawa; collaborated with aboriginal, provincial, and local leaders; helped bring over $180 million in federal funding to our riding; and answered your phone calls and emails. People of all political parties have been generous in their praise.
I’ve great respect for Chief Clint Williams and his council but disagree with the bald statement that I have hampered the treaty process. I’ve done everything in my power to expedite the treaty process and at the same time done my best to ensure we get the treaty right.
In March 2010, Williams for the first time sought my assistance on the treaty. He asked if I could help deal with a fisheries issue that had for years delayed Tla’Amin’s treaty process. I took his concern directly to cabinet ministers, and the issue was resolved within two months.
Williams says the treaty has been delayed since June, 2010. I first saw portions of the treaty only in or around last December and have never seen the whole document, as it is confidential to the negotiators. When I identified terms in the treaty that state that, in the case of conflict, Tla’Amin law will prevail over Canadian law, I advised Williams that former Supreme Court of Canada judges have pointed out that such terms are unconstitutional, unwise and unfair.
The constitutional issue is important. The question of whether Tla’Amin law can prevail over Canadian law is currently before the courts. Should the courts rule against these terms, it could threaten the whole of this important process. I’m not trying to delay this treaty, I’m trying to make sure it’s constitutional and won’t be struck down over problematic terms.
Recently, Williams and his delegation came to Ottawa, and were led around by the Liberal candidate, for political purposes, without requesting to meet the staff of the Department of Indian Affairs, the minister’s office or me. On the other hand, I felt it important to come to Powell River at Mayor Stewart Alsgard’s request to meet with Williams and others face to face to discuss how to move forward. I’ve already conveyed to the minister the concerns of Tla’Amin’s chief and council from our meeting last Tuesday.
Treaties are critical. They drive progress, promote consensus, create fairness, and foster certainty.
Our Conservative government has moved many treaty discussions forward; promoted reconciliation through Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s landmark residential schools apology; and signed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
This government treats all Canadians, including aboriginal people, with fairness and dignity.
We act with vision for Canada. We act with a sense of urgency. Why? Because it’s right. Turning the Tla’Amin treaty negotiation into a partisan issue is wrong.
We’ve run a long way; let’s finish the race together.
MP John Weston represents West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country.
