The Toronto Star reports, “Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not mention First Nations concerns or Idle No More protests as a priority for the government in his speech to the Conservative caucus Wednesday. The opposition raised those issues in the Commons, with Liberal interim leader Bob Rae demanding why Harper failed to prioritize aboriginal concerns. Harper defended his emphasis on the economy, saying it is an issue for all Canadians, including aboriginal Canadians.”
And despite C-45 being central to the concerns brought forward by Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence and the Idle No More movement, Aboriginal Affairs minister John Duncan has stated, “We’re quite comfortable that we have met our constitutional obligations with those bills (including C-45) and we believe there is every reason to proceed.” Government House leader Peter Van Loan has also recently stated that the Harper government is “firmly committed” to C-45 and that it won’t be revisited despite claims it infringes on First Nation Treaty rights.
But central to Chief Spence and Manitoba Elder Raymond Robinson ending their hunger strike on January 23 was a Declaration signed by the Assembly of First Nations, the Native Women’s Association of Canada, the NDP and Liberal caucuses that endorses, “A comprehensive review and meaningful consultation in regards to Bill C-38 and C-45 to ensure it is consistent with Section 35 of the Constitution Act (1982).” The Mikisew Cree First Nation and the Frog Lake First Nation have also filed documents in Federal Court in early-January that argue those bills violate Treaty requirements that the government protect First Nations territories from environmental degradation.
And in Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow’s speech at the Idle No More rally on Parliament Hill this past Monday, she described C-45 and C-38 as “the worst pieces of legislation in Canadian history”. Then announcing the formation of Common Causes she highlighted, “We come from all walks of life and all over the country. And we’ve decided not to be fighting in our silos any more but to be fighting together. Stephen Harper, you have awakened a sleeping giant.”
Adding to the apparent intransigence on the part of the Harper government on these issues comes this Toronto Star report. “Two members of Stephen Harper’s Conservative caucus — an elected MP and a senator — publicly disparaged the Idle No More movement and Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence at a fundraising dinner for a provincial candidate Tuesday.”
“Sen. Patrick Brazeau referred to Spence’s ‘so-called hunger strike’ in addressing about 80 people at a Legion hall in the Ottawa suburb of Orleans, and mocked her physical shape. ‘I was sick two weeks ago,’ Brazeau said. ‘I had the flu and I lost five pounds. I look at Miss Spence, when she started her hunger strike, and now?’ Brazeau added as a voice in the hall called out, ‘She’s fatter,’ which drew laughter from much of the audience. …(And) Ottawa-Orleans MP Royal Galipeau told the crowd … he was allowed into Spence’s tent on Boxing Day because he wasn’t recognized. …’I stood in the circle around Chief Spence,’ Galipeau said. ‘I noticed that manicure of hers. I tell you Anne can’t afford it,’ he said, referring to his wife.”
“Chief Spence could not be reached for comment. Liberal critic Carolyn Bennett called the comments ‘appalling’.”
For Council of Canadians campaign blogs opposing C-45, please see http://canadians.org/blog/?s=%22C-45%22. For campaign blogs in support of Chief Spence and Idle No More, see http://canadians.org/blog/?s=%22theresa+spence%22.
