For those of you who didn't have the time to read my 5 blogs on the BC Election, I have done a quick chart comparing the 7 issues that I mentioned in my first blog and other items of note. Better to read the entire analysis of each platform, but for those of you who are too busy, here is quick snapshot of the issues as I see them. 5 days to go, and the Liberals are allegedly closing the gap with the NDP, the question is should you get out and Vote if you don't like what is happening now? And if you decide you want to vote, who should you vote for?
ISSUE
GREEN Party
Liberals
NDP
1. MEGA PROJECTS
- Site C
Not Support
Support
Wait for EA Process to approve or not
- Prosperity Mine and other mines
No Specific Mention but Require FN consent for new mines-also revise mining laws so consent with FN’s assured and establish no go zones for mines
Support
Sustainable mining
- Raven Coal
No specific mention but Require FN Consent for new mines
Support
Sustainable mining
- LNG
No New projects
Put a moratorium on new gas exploration and ban tankers on the coast
Support: Hangs BC’s economic future on LNG
Use “best practices for LNG”
Use Green solutions
- Fracking-for LNG
Support
Use Best Practices for fracking
- Kinder Morgan
Against
Support
Opposed to more tanker traffic in Vancouver Ha
- Northern Gateway
Against
Support if 5 Conditions are met.
Oppose
- Other Developments
Let fish farm licenses expire with no renewal and revoke long term fish farm tenures, stop old growth logging,
Do more area based tenure in forests-no mention of settling with FN’s or consultations on these new tenures
2. BC Hydro pullback on Standing Offer Program
Support IPP's, institute small power loans with no interest for green energy, support private and public energy producers-will cancel water license for power producers where necessary (not sure what necessary means)
Will continue with standing offer program but includes the possibility of two year delay
Support renewable energy-not support the 2 year pull back but will evaluate existing contracts with IPP’s-not sure what they will do after that
3. Revenue and Benefit Sharing
Commits to sharing of natural resources themselves as opposed to revenues
Commits to more revenue sharing agreements-done a few mining sharing 37.5% mining tax revenue, a small amount from IPP’s in energy-picks and chooses which FN to revenue share and uses as tool to get FN to approve projects
Not Mentioned
4. Shared Decision Making
Promises co-management
No mention of Shared Decision Making. Consultation is mentioned in relation to LNG
Supports using UNDRIP as guiding policy which requires Free Prior and Informed consent
5. New Relationship and Reconciliation
Mentions New Relationship, Royal Commission on Aboriginal peoples, Kelowna Accord, implementation of treaty rights-platform aimed at reconciliation
No mention of either
Govt-to govt relationships,
Work towards reconciliation, complete treaties and work with non treaty nations on other path to reconciliation
6. Heritage Conservation Act
Not mentioned
Not Mentioned and plans many developments thru FN territories which will impact
Not Mentioned-but commitments to work on this with FN’s
7. Water Act
Not mentioned
Finish consultations and pass new Act-critical issues for FN’s
Commit to complete Water Act and regulate groundwater
Real and meaningful consultation with FNs
Treaty
Work in good faith with Feds to complete treaties
Not mentioned-will continue with incremental treaty agreements
1st Meeting with PM will be about completing treaties-commit to complete treaties
Social Issues
Improve the quality of life of First Nations peoples through improved housing, better education, more employment opportunities and increased access to health programs including traditional medicines
Nothing on housing, education, children, health specifically for FN’s.
Says they will work for jobs for FN in LNG
Compare to Wet’sueten and Huckleberry Mine where not one job is for First Nations-no support from Libs to create jobs-jobs plan not working for FN’s
Meet FNsLeadership within 100 days of forming government – to develop a four year action plan to improve economic opportunity and educational outcomes for Aboriginal students, move towards devolution of children and family services, improve justice system and tackle other key priorities, such as reducing poverty
Other
Train educators on history of FN’s, continuing colonization and recognition of aboriginal rights and title
Put in place a round table on environment with FN’s at table to advise govt on Important parts of environment
Commitments to ensure training and education for FNs people, continuing to support the FPHC to preserve FNs languages, and to continue to support services provided by the BCAAFC