First Nations Slam Harper Government’s Legal Argument for Canada-China Trade Deal

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The following statement was issued by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs in response to the Harper Government’s rebuttal to a case being brought by the Hupacasath First Nation against the proposed Canada-China Trade Deal.

Last week the Federal Court of Canada heard oral arguments from the Hupacasath First Nation and the Harper Government on Hupacasath’s legal action regarding the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA). In response to First Nations concerns of infringement on their inherent Aboriginal Title and Rights and lack of consultation the Hupacasath First Nation was compelled to launch a court challenge under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution.

The Government of Canada argued that there must be causal link between the ratification of FIPPA and the adverse effects on Hupacasath First Nation Title and Rights to proceed with consultation.  Furthermore, the Harper Government held that no Aboriginal group had requested consultation with respect to any of the Canada’s 24 FIPPAs with other countries or that negotiations with respect to Canada-China FIPPA had been available to the general public via the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade website since 2008.

“It is well-documented that FIPA was negotiated in secret and First Nations and Canadians first heard about this agreement when it was signed in 2012.  This agreement is significantly different then the other 24 FIPPA’s Canada references.  China already has and will continue to grow its investments, assets and projects in Canada and consequently we take all the risk in this agreement.  It will allow foreign investment to trump the Title and Rights of First Nations and take full advantage of Canada’s much weakened environmental standards,” said Chief Bob Chamberlin, Vice-President of Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

“It is unbelievable that Canada has argued that consultation requires a ‘request’ from a First Nation.  The Constitution and common law require the Harper Government to meaningfully consult and accommodate our interests where a decision has the potential to infringe our inherent Title and Rights as guaranteed by section 35 of Constitution Act, 1982.   Consultation does not require a ‘request,’ written or otherwise to trigger the Harper Government’s fiduciary duty to consult First Nations,” Councilor Marilyn Baptiste, Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs stated, “Canada endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2010 which states that ‘Canada shall consult and cooperate in good faith with indigenous peoples in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them”, clearly Canada has failed to do so in this matter.”

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs concluded, “First Nations and Canadians are extremely concerned with FIPPA and its wide implications including infringements on our inherent Title and Rights and the ability to allow foreign corporate interests to take advantage of the weakened environmental protections to proceed with the rapid expansion of resource development on un-ceded First Nation territories.  Through this agreement, China will be granted protection and would thus greatly increase their investment in the development of the Alberta tarsands, pipelines, mining projects and other resource development projects, all at great risk to our Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaty rights, but ultimately at great cost to the environment that all British Columbians and Canadians share and treasure.  We will fight to defend this valued legacy that represents the ultimate birthright of our children and grandchildren.”

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1 thought on “First Nations Slam Harper Government’s Legal Argument for Canada-China Trade Deal

  1. Friday, 14 June 2013 14:17 posted by John Hunter

    Most of those criticising the FIPA seem not to have read it. It has been available on the DFAIT site for over 6 months. It is better to do so that parrot those who claim they have. You may also wish to read this site below. I built facilities in China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Venezuela. We need FIPA type agreements if we are to invest overseas and create Cdn jobs from it.

    Read more: http://www.nsnews.com/news/Read+FIPA+agreement+learn+facts/8331941/story.html#ixzz2ScygpufM

    Wednesday, 12 June 2013 12:36 posted by G.J.W.

    There are many of us, who support the F.N. People. We support the F.N. in their battle against, the Enbridge pipeline. We are all very angry at Harper’ Omnibus Bill that permits China to sue Canada if, anyone blocks China’s intrusions into our country. Therefore, China sued to take the 200 mining jobs, our BC miners applied for.

    We detest Harper’s FIPPA deal with China. Harper has been a litany of lies, deceit, thefts, corruption, dirty tactics and he cheats to win. Harper is nothing other than a Traitor to Canada. What kind of a P.M. gives their country away, especially to a country such as China? Canadians don’t even have the right, to have the resource jobs. Harper gave those to China as well.

    We will support the F.N. in their battle with Harper AGAIN, to keep China out of our country. Harper has no right to even live in this country, let alone govern.

    Wednesday, 12 June 2013 03:24 posted by Willy Ens

    Excellent research and reporting! …
    I hope other people are flogging this to their Face Book contacts/Walls, Twitter, and all other posting venues you can think of like I am to “Let people find out” … because I think most more than likely, would want “To Know”
    Good Article!

    Tuesday, 11 June 2013 22:12 posted by Jeff Beck

    Shoot outs??? Never heard of any shoot outs. But I sure hope the First Nations stand up to this excuse for a PM!! Bring on the blockades!! Close the borders hit them where it will hurt the most their wallet! We will have to put up with some setbacks but if it gets rid of FIPPA and CHINA and Harper then I’m all for it!

    Tuesday, 11 June 2013 21:54 posted by Kevin Logan

    This approach taken by myself and Damien has still received no response from the public process we submitted it to.

    Its time we follow up.

    http://thecanadian.org/item/1804-stopping-fipa-follow-up-action-you-can-take-to-halt-canada-china-trade-deal

    Tuesday, 11 June 2013 21:21 posted by Jaeme Lee Grosvenor

    Amazing site amazing journalism THANK YOU FOR THIS EFFORT

    Tuesday, 11 June 2013 20:13 posted by Rob McQueen

    Good blog. Where is your follow button.

    The Federal Conservatives are so arrogant and blind from their own power that they think they can put the First Nations people around. They cannot see the reality that stands poised to bite them in the butt.

    Tuesday, 11 June 2013 20:05 posted by ghuck nermi

    ya well that’s Harper..he is selling all our natural resources to foreign lands, we do nothing…but when the Natives have an issue..they go it all the way, court.blockades, shootouts…the y have more balls then the white man..

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