AFN Reacts to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Study on Bill C-45
December 14, 2012
(Ottawa, ON) – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) welcomes the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources recently released report on the environmental impacts of Bill C-45.
“We are pleased that the Senate’s report reflected the concerns of First Nations across Canada. The unilateral changes to the Fisheries Act and the Navigable Waters Protection Act disregard our inherent right to fish and threaten the integrity of our resources,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo. “The report released by the Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources demonstrates the need for First Nations involvement in the implementation of Bill C-45. All week, we have seen many of our citizens growing tireless and frustrated with federal legislation impacting our ways of living through the “Idle No More” National Day of Action and Solidarity walks and rallies.”
Bill C-45 now becomes law after the Senate approved the Bill today. It is the second omnibus budget implementation bill passed in 2012. The Bill amends numerous acts and builds on amendments made in the previous omnibus budget implementation bill, Bill C-38.
“First Nations must be consulted before the government makes sweeping changes that will impact First Nations lands and resources. It is the responsibility of the Crown to consult and accommodate each First Nation whose rights may be affected by Bill C-45, and it is the choice of each First Nation to grant or withhold its free prior and informed consent before the Government makes any decision impacting rights. Across the country, First Nations have expressed their dismay that the Government has not taken its duty to consult seriously,” said National Chief Atleo.
During the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly last week in Ottawa, Chiefs and communities across Canada in called for immediate dialogue about how the Government will administer the amended Fisheries Act and Navigable Waters Protection Act. The AFN has called for direct consultation with rights holders.
The AFN appeared before the standing committee on November 22nd to state concerns with changes to the Fisheries Act and the Navigable Waters Protection Act. Amendments to Fisheries Act set a definition for Aboriginal fisheries. The Navigable Waters Protection Act has been renamed the Navigation Protection Act and will limit federal oversight to a limited number of waterways across Canada.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow us on Twitter @AFN_Updates, @AFN_Comms
For more information please contact:
Jenna Young AFN Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca
Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca
