(Vancouver, BC) The Government of Canada released their federal budget this week and it appears there will be a number of challenges facing future programs and services for Aboriginal people. The impacts to existing Métis programs remains unclear and we will be vigilant is reviewing the impacts in the coming months as Federal Departments find ways to say over 5 billion dollars for 2012-2013. However one of the most important announcements during the federal budget presentation was a move by the federal government to revise the regulatory review of projects going through any regulatory process. The regulatory update is retroactive and paves the way for the federal government to push projects like the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines Project in BC forward. The effect is the current Joint Review Panel process regarding the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines Project could wrap up this May 2012, almost a year and a half before the process was scheduled to be completed.
BC Métis Federation President Henry stated, “This is a startling move on the part of the federal government. This is why we at the BC Métis Federation have been working to education Métis people throughout BC about the project. Despite major funding, MNBC has done nothing to properly consult with their people and this only raises the MNBC incompetence to a new level.”
President Henry added, “The First Nation leaders in BC are already coming out very strongly against this move and the BC Métis Federation will be discussing a resolution regarding the Enbridge project in mid April to support the direction members are demanding of our organization.”
President Henry concluded, “This new information forces all British Columbians to better understand the Enbridge project and take your stand. We hope Métis people throughout BC get involved more than ever before and not accept these undemocratic moves that we who are all Canadians would expect the federal government to take given the potential environmental impacts to Alberta and BC. The Joint Review Panel was to ensure this happened at the very least. Instead the federal government will try to force the Enbridge project through with or without you. We have a voice, time to stand up Métis people and be shoulder to shoulder with our First Nations cousins.”
For more information about the upcoming Regional Gatherings being held throughout BC please go to the BC Métis Federation website www.bcmetis.com.
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-March-30th-2012.pdf” style=”download”]Download this Letter in PDF format[/ilink]
Background Info Link-http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/03/30/pol-first-nations-northern-gateway-reaction.html
Media Inquiries:
Keith Henry
President
BC Métis Federation
#300-3665 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2
Office 1-604-638-7220
Cell 1-778-388-5013
Email k.henry@bcmetis.com
You can now follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter @keithhenryMetis
