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September 18, 2003 Update on Bill C-19 FNFSMA |
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| "URGENT"
To: All Ontario Chiefs, PTO's, TC's |
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| LIBERALS THREATENING ABORIGINAL AND TREATY
RIGHTS IT'S DÉJA-VU ALL OVER AGAIN - LIBERALS ARE RAMMING BILL C-19 THE FIRST NATIONS FISCAL AND STATISTICAL MANAGEMENT ACT THROUGH THE PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE DESPITE FIRST NATIONS' OBJECTIONS In a repeat of Bill C-7's attack on our inherent rights, the Liberal dominated House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs (SCAA) is trying to ram Bill C-19 quickly through its clause-by-clause review this week. Chiefs and leaders are encouraged to act without delay to either travel to Ottawa for the Committee meeting on Sept 17 (3:30 pm to likely very late) and likely on Sept. 18 and/or to send urgent letters, faxes and emails to the members of the SCAA, the Minister of Indian Affairs and to your local MP. The SCAA members' names and contact information are attached. Daily updates on the SCAA meeting schedule can be obtained on the internet at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/InfoCom/CommitteeSchedule.asp On Sept. 16, 2003, from 9 am-12:40 pm, the SCAA began its clause by clause review of Bill C-19. The NDP's Pat Martin is again coming to the defence of our rights as he did on C-7/FNGA last winter and spring. However, the circumstances are different than C-7 and therefore, the NDP and the other opposition parties are not as inclined as they were last Spring with C-7 to argue strenuously and to attempt to delay this bill significantly. It is urgent that your messages opposing C-19 also reach the opposition Aboriginal Affairs critics (contact information attached) without delay. The Liberals and the opposition must be made to feel the pressure. They need to hear once again as we did last spring that Minister Nault's "suite of legislation" is unacceptable and that new nation to nation relations, respect for the Treaties and negotiations are the preferred approach. There are several First Nations supporters of the Bill actively lobbying to pass it. We must show the reality, as indicated by the Assembly of First Nations resolutions rejecting the bill, that there are many more First Nations opposed than in support. The SCAA at its current rate may finish its work and report the bill back to the House of Commons as soon as Sept. 18 or early next week. Although the Government has not made C-19 or C-7/FNGA a stated priority, that can change in an instant if it feels there will be little opposition. For your convenience we are attaching Template Letters that you can you use to send your letters to the Opposition Aboriginal Affairs Critics. (Background Information and list of members of Standing Committee and their fax numbers is also attached) Meegwetch.
Please copy any correspondence you submit to Ontario Regional Chief Charles D. Fox through fax 807 626-9404 or mail to the political office address listed on the letterhead. |
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