I have grave concerns…

I have grave concerns whenever I hear that legislation is being passed which will potentially lead to shortcuts in environmental assessments of projects, but my main concern is the role First Nations communities and peoples have (or do not have) in developing this legislation. Is it being crafted with their full support and consent? Indigenous "input" is not good enough--the lands which this legislation covers are the traditional lands of Indigenous nations (e.g. Treaty 9 peoples) and any legislation developed affecting these lands should be developed with their full participation, leadership and veto rights.

It's all fine and good for us to articulate land acknowledgements before our public events, but a critical step in our reconciliation process must be a deep and pragmatic acceptance and active support of Indigenous peoples' connection to the land.

This is precisely the kind of legislation that undermines Indigenous sovereignty with negative impacts that will go on for generations.