Evidence of meeting #79 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was consultation.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Secretary-Treasurer, Nisga'a Lisims Government
Yes. The Nisga'a Nation was not involved with northern gateway. It wasn't in our vicinity.
5:25 p.m.
Deputy Chief, Chiefs Council, Eagle Spirit Energy
Yes. I sat on the community advisory board in the Pacific northwest, when we met in Kitimat. There were various first nations from the interior of British Columbia and the Alberta area, and we had asked specifically that northern gateway provide us with a safety plan, marine-wise and land-wise, for how they would protect the environment. What were those steps going to be?
They never came forth. They didn't deliver; therefore, they were kicked out of the area.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON
Thank you very much.
I'm from Huron County and Bruce County, which are on the shores of Lake Huron. Through the years I've had an opportunity to establish a relationship with the Saugeen First Nation, Chief Randall Kahgee, Chief Vernon Roote, etc. What I found so interesting about the packet the department put out on who they consulted and how they consulted was that when I saw it, I knew they hadn't consulted at all.
In my area, there has been a project on the go since 2003 and they are still working with the Saugeen First Nation. Just recently, the last piece they were working on was physical and cultural heritage and the impacts the project is going to have on it. It isn't about how many meetings you have. It isn't about how many questions you answered or what you needed. It's about when everything is finally completed, and members inside your community agree with the project. That is what consultation has at least to start to look like.
I didn't ask the minister my questions about consultation two weeks ago because I knew he hadn't done appropriate consultation. What I asked him was if he felt like he needed consent from communities like yours to put a ban in, and he said no, he didn't need your consent. I have it here in writing. I also asked him about what kind of consultation he did. He said, “We did unprecedented consultation with groups, and I might add that I think we're setting a new standard in this government in terms of consultation.” That shows you what the new government feels about consultation.
I agree with some of the members here today when they say this bill should really be pulled until there is appropriate consultation.
I'll leave it at that. I know some people on this committee feel some ways about this ban and some people feel other ways about the ban, but we all agree that in order to get there, you need to property consult with those it impacts.
I'll leave it at that for now, Madam Chair.
I really appreciate your attending the committee today. Thank you.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much, Mr. Lobb.
To all of the esteemed guests we've had today, thank you so much for taking time to come here. You have certainly handled yourselves very well. You got your points across very well to all of the committee, so thank you very much and have a safe trip back home.
We have a motion to adjourn.
The committee is adjourned.