Conservatives passage of Bill C-45 arrogant and outrageous

12/06/2012

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is outraged with the Harper Government’s passage of legislation that will have profound negative impacts on Native issues.

Bill C-45 (the Jobs and Growth Act) is a massive piece of legislation that amends over 60 laws, including the Indian Act. The Government describes this as a ‘budget implementation bill.’ However, C-45 actually goes a lot further. Changes to the definition of the Aboriginal fishery, as well as changes to land designations in the Indian Act were not in the budget but both are changed in this bill. For example, the law makes it far easier for anyone to acquire Native lands through surrender.

“Their actions are both arrogant and outrageous,” said Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr.

The MCK also notes significant changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act. In the past, this and other related legislation automatically protected all waterways. Now, less than 1% of waterways will receive protection. It will now be easier for big business to build pipelines, bridges or wharves – or try to ship nuclear waste by water – without the constraints of proper consultation. 

“If the Government expects that this new law will clear legal hurdles to allow them to sneak nuclear waste shipments through the St. Lawrence Seaway system, they have another thing coming,” said Chief Delisle. “We are putting them on notice that we remain firm in our opposition to many aspects of this law.”