Primary Letter


Date: 

Re: Idle No More movement and Omnibus Bill, Bill C-45

Dear    ,

Reclaim Our Democratic Canada (RODC) is a multi-partisan group of Canadians, who have become increasingly concerned about the future of Canada. 

RODC is writing to express support of the Idle No More movement, initiated by First Nation populations across Canada.  The Idle No More movement emerged in late 2012 as an effort to educate First Nations people and other Canadians on the multitude of legislation being put forward by the government that will impact First Nation people and the Canadian environment.

Like RODC, Idle No More is concerned about the effects of the most recent federal Omnibus Bill, Bill C-45. First Nations groups express legitimate concerns regarding C-45, through which broad legislative changes were made without consultation with First Nations people.  Some measures contained in C-45 could dramatically affect how waterways are protected.
                          
RODC too is deeply concerned about this Bill’s capacity for initiating imminent changes affecting First Nation communities and environmental policies.  Most importantly, we are concerned about the non-transparent way in which these changes are being made. 

We note some of the controversial measures included in Bill C-45 that will have significant impacts on Canadian communities:

  •  Under Bill C-45, the federal government will see dramatically fewer environmental assessments (only those focused on major projects.
  •   Instead, provinces will handle assessments if they are abl
  •  Pipelines will be exempt from the navigable waters act
  • Only fish of commercial importance will be protected under the Fisheries Act[1]

  • Increased power will be given to the federal department responsible for Aboriginal Affairs regarding First Nations lands
  • Oil and nuclear companies will have easier access to natural resources[2].     

We believe the above measures warrant comprehensive discussion and consultation with the Canadian public.

Like Bill C-10 of last year, Bill C-45 is a budget bill that included a host of other items that have little or no connection to the actual federal budget.  Even still, the Bill was studied by the federal finance committee only, as opposed to committees that focus on the particular policy areas of each of the proposed measures.  This limits important governmental discussion and contextual understanding of measures proposed in the Bill, including the history of each proposed measure and their potential implications in Canada. 

Including non-budgetary measures within a budget bill also limits public awareness of and comprehension of new proposed measures.  It also, as consequence, limits opportunities for public debate on these issues.

In Canada, the purpose of government is to reflect the opinions and interests of the public, in addition to reflecting the governing body’s long-term fiscal and policy agenda.  Yet the employment of omnibus bills such as C-45 strategically limits the public’s access to information on measures included in the Bill.  The sheer volume of such a Bill alone serves to confuse and divert most constituents from its contents. 

All of the above concerns serve to limit information, reduce government transparency and subvert democratic processes in Canada.  For these reasons, we support the Idle No More movement, which aims to educate First Nations and other Canadians on legislation being put forward by our government.

We ask that you:

  • When proposing measures that will significantly impact First Nation communities, consult with First Nation organizations and constituents, and incorporate their expertise into proposed policies and measures in future
  • When proposing measures that will significantly impact the environment, consult with organizations that support environmental sustainability, and incorporate their expertise into proposed policies and measures in future
·       Do not endorse Bills that rush important issues through a voting process that is meant to address the federal budget alone
·       Consider the challenges implicit in omnibus bill formats, and their negative implications on Canadian democracy.  Resist using this format in your government in future

RODC urges you to consider the integrity of Canada’s system of democracy, which we have always held up as a model to the world.

Sincerely,





[1] Scoffield, H. “Omnibus bill only the latest move in profound changes for environment, natives”. MacLean’s.  

Online: http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/10/21/omnibus-bill-only-the-latest-move-in-profound-changes-for-environment-natives/

October 21, 2012