Mr. Speaker, I rose today in support of Bill C-107 respecting the British Columbia Treaty Commission and the process that has been developed in treaty making in British Columbia which included, specifically, third party consultations.
The process aspect of treaty negotiations has received considerable attention from TNAC members. Their demands for a more open negotiation process and less stringent confidentiality requirements have really stimulated media interest and some public criticism. The government has responded by removing TNAC confidentiality requirements. This has improved the members' capacity to consult with and to represent their organizations more effectively.
The provincial minister of aboriginal affairs, the hon. John Cashore, attends most of TNAC meetings and the federal minister has met with TNAC on four occasions including most meetings held so far in 1995. The member of Parliament for Vancouver East has agreed to be the personal representative of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to TNAC. However I will take this opportunity to introduce members of the House to some of the people participating in the treaty negotiation advisory committee and to the TNAC group.
The key treaty negotiation advisory committee member is Michael Hunter. He is a representative of the Fisheries Council of B.C. He has significant government experience as part of the federal team that negotiated the 1985 Canada-U.S. Pacific Salmon Treaty. He is a former employee of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and has been on the fisheries council for about nine years. He has served on numerous fisheries advisory committees as well as on international trade consultations. His organization, made up of the major fish processing companies, is most concerned with ensuring that claims settlements do not create more problems for the B.C. commercial fishing industry.
Paddy Greene is a lifelong commercial salmon fisherman from Prince Rupert. Mr. Greene has also been actively involved in the advisory processes of the DFO on fish allocation and fisheries management. He has served as commissioner on the Canada-U.S. Pacific Salmon Commission and was recently manager of the Prince Rupert Fishermen's Co-op. He sits as the northern representative on TNAC and chairs the fisheries committee. He has been most concerned about the implementation of the DFO's aboriginal fisheries strategy and legal sale of aboriginal fish food.
Dennis Brown is a representative of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union. Mr. Brown has risen through the ranks of the union, serving in various capacities including Fraser River organizer before becoming an executive member. He has worked effectively on easing tensions between commercial fishermen and recent Vietnamese entrants. The UFAWU includes both harvesters and plant workers, many of whom are native people. The union is most concerned about job losses in an already downsized industry. He will point to the many aboriginal plant workers and commercial
harvesters as examples of how to create and maintain job opportunities for natives.
Guy Rose is a representative of the British Columbia Cattlemen's Association. Mr. Rose's family has been in the business for three generations. Usually soft spoken, he is concerned by the apparent lack of understanding some politicians have displayed concerning the impact of claims policies on third parties. He perceives that the general population is concerned by the generous benefits that may be provided. His group's main concern, however, will be continued access to provincial crown land at reasonable cost for grazing needs.
Susan Anderson, although designated as the alternate for the B.C. Federation of Labour, has attended almost all committee meetings on behalf of the president, Mr. Ken Georgetti of the B.C. Federation of Labour, and is a historic supporter of native rights. Ms. Anderson has referred frequently to the need for better compensation and adjustment programs for those industries and workers affected by claims agreements.
Bill Wimpney is a representative of the B.C. Wildlife Federation and is outspoken and direct. He is usually constructive and well prepared. He is continually mindful of the BCWF members' interests. He also chairs the wildlife sectoral advisory committee. The BCWF represents about 40,000 anglers, hunters and outdoor admirers throughout B.C. Mr. Wimpney has worked on preparing a statement on his organization's position on native issues and some bottom lines his members expect in negotiations. These relate specifically to access, endangered species protection and jurisdiction.
Marlie Beets is the vice-president of aboriginal affairs with the Council of Forest Industries and was the former alternate for the Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers' Association. She is from Williams Lake and has been associated with the forestry industry for many years. COFI is most concerned about the further loss of harvestable timber resources and has indicated that minimum land transfers balanced with a larger cash component would be preferable.
Lloyd Whyte represents the interior forest industry coalition, an umbrella group for the three interior forestry organizations. He has been concerned about the cost sharing formula between Canada and B.C. and believes it will provide more land to native people in the interior than on the coast. He also chairs the lands and forest committee on which he sits as representative for the Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers' Association.
Ken Sumanik is the representative of the Mining Association of B.C. He was the chair of the energy, mines and petroleum resources committee. His organization represents large mining and exploration operators in B.C. They have indicated they are facing serious economic difficulties due to commodity prices and environmental standards. The industry is most concerned that claim settlements not impede its ability to explore efficiently developed mineral deposits. It is not so much concerned about to whom royalties are paid as long as the opportunity remains to explore and develop B.C.'s mineral and petroleum resources.
Jerry Lampert is president of the B.C. Business Council. He recently stepped down as the organization's designated representative but usually attends agenda items involving the ministers. He was appointed by the B.C. Business Council when the respected James Matkin stepped down. Representing a large, diverse group of major private sector corporations, the business council acts mainly as a group to lobby governments. It will be most concerned with ensuring ministerial participation in TNAC meetings as the best means of ensuring its views are heard by the decision makers. The council also seeks to minimize the impact of settlements on B.C. employers by ensuring that the cost of treaty settlements does not add to the tax burden of businesses.
Dick McMaster is the representative of the Fishing Resort Operators Association and the Council of Tourist Associations. Mr. McMaster speaks for a growing sector in the B.C. economy. Many of the areas seen as ideal for tourism and recreation are also priority areas for many claimant groups. Tourism and sport fishing operators will seek to ensure their continued access to and use of those areas. This includes freshwater fishing and wilderness enjoyment. Mr. McMaster has been an active member of the committee and frequently participates in committee discussions.
At a March 1994 meeting he stated:
The more economic effort natives are involved in now, the less there will be the pressure for more land and cash when treaties are settled.
Although Richard Taylor is an alderman for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities he chairs the governance sectoral advisory committee. He chaired the early negotiations with the government to establish and define a joint third party consultation process. He has promoted the UBCM position on the need for local governments to be represented or present at the treaty negotiation table.
These are very respected British Columbians. The Government of Canada appreciates the time they have taken from their very busy schedules to participate in this very meaningful and important consultation process.
The job before these people is a great one. They carry the responsibility of representing vast interests of B.C.'s economy. They are building economic well-being not only for the immediate generation but for generations to come. They carry the responsibility of representing the vast interests of B.C.'s industry. TNAC is an integral part of the process. TNAC will develop positive, realistic and fair recommendations to enhance the negotiations.
The long term success of the process lies with the partners of the process. We need to encourage and congratulate all those who will participate.