This proposed Amendment…

The proposed amendments concerns me, especially when it comes to the potential exemption of building developments from the requirement of archaeological investigation. As stated in the amendment, certain locations will not be considered for exemption, such as those with great archaeological merit. However, an area, whose significance is unknown, could be chosen for exemption and thus a large part of history would be gone forever, just because it wasn't define beforehand as "significant." Additionally, the government of Canada is not in the position to define which sites are of great significance and which are not. It is only through consultation with the Indigenous Peoples in the areas in question where one can start to define the significance of a site.

I feel that it is also important to acknowledge that the vast majority of archaeological finds in Canada pertain to the Indigenous Peoples (see link). The passing of these amendments would be, in my opinion, a step away from the path to reparations and would instead act as a further excuse from the government of Canada to continue to destroy Indigenous history in Canada.