McGuinty likes AFN’s call for loan guarantees for Aboriginal businesses
Rupert port negotiator news to Tsimshian
NationTalk interview with former Prime Minister Paul Martin
McGuinty likes AFN’s call for loan guarantees for Aboriginal businesses
By Keith Leslie
An appeal by the Assembly of First Nations for government support to help Aboriginal-owned businesses secure lucrative contracts to build new energy projects got a surprisingly swift and positive response January 24th from Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine made his emotional plea to the Ontario Energy Association, asking for more opportunities for poverty-plagued Aboriginal communities as the province moves to implement a 20-year, $60-to-$80 billion plan to create new energy sources.
National Chief Phil Fontaine
He called for government loan guarantees to help First Nations businesses bid on new energy projects, an idea that got a lukewarm response from Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant, but a much more enthusiastic reception from McGuinty.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty
“I like the sound of that,” McGuinty said later.
“We’re looking for new opportunities to strengthen our First Nations so that they can enjoy greater economic prospects, so I like the sound of that. Sounds to me like it’s a bit of a win-win. We’re talking about creating energy from renewables and enhancing economic prospects for First Nations.”
Ontario already has special multi-million dollar funds to help manufacturers, forestry and other sectors.
Opposition critics agreed there needs to be some “extra help” for Aboriginal communities to improve their economic conditions, but were cool to the idea of government loan guarantees.
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” said Conservative Leader John Tory.
“But I think we’re getting carried away with an almost unending number of special funds and special programs to lend and give people money rather than focusing on… getting an attractive business environment so people of all kinds, including First Nations, will choose to invest in Ontario.
The New Democrats called loan guarantees “a half-step” and said Ontario should guarantee First Nations a share of the revenue from new energy projects on their lands, and give Aboriginals the same guaranteed rights of participation that they enjoy in neighbouring provinces.
“If you look at Quebec and Manitoba, First Nations in those provinces have the right to participate – not a right to bid in – but a right to have ownership and a right to have a veto over projects,” said NDP Leader Howard Hampton.
“The third thing they have is revenue sharing. If a hydro dam that is built makes a certain amount of revenue, the First Nation gets a percentage of that revenue.”
Fontaine said the lucrative energy sector should also be prepared to help educate and train Aboriginal workers, especially for projects that will be built on or near First Nations lands in remote, northern communities.
“It’s clear that from a labour pool perspective, First Nations and industry must examine new ways to work together to keep your industry strong,” he said.
“There’s too much at stake socially and economically, for all of us.”
The Ontario Energy Association said it appreciated Fontaine’s call for “new ways of thinking” about partnerships between First Nations and energy companies, and was pleased to hear him talk about working together.
“It's important for us to realize that there’s a large, untapped workforce up there that we really need to engage and work with,” said CEO Shane Pospisil.
“Many of our members, whether it’s Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power or Hydro One, are already working with First Nations communities to pull a lot of these Aboriginal youth into the workforce.”
Fontaine said helping First Nations to become partners or even initiators of energy projects could improve living conditions for Aboriginal children, one in four of whom are living in poverty – a situation he called “a crisis of epidemic proportions.”
He said Ontario’s Integrated Power System Plan presents a unique opportunity for Aboriginal participation in the energy sector that may not come again for decades, an opportunity for First Nations people to raise the standard of living for their children.
“If the (power plan) cannot address our issues now, then when?” he asked.
“There may not be another similar process for twenty years or more. The time for fundamental change is now.”
Rupert port negotiator news to Tsimshian
By Rudy Kelly
The federal government has appointed a new negotiator to deal with the Coast Tsimshian regarding container port development in Prince Rupert, B.C. – unfortunately, the Tsimshian were one of the last to hear about it.
Talks between the two Tsimshian bands, Metlakatla and Lax Kw’Alaams, and the federal govnerment on the new container port have been going on for about a year. They were slow but progress was being made, which made this sudden annoucement even more disturbing to the Tsimshian.
Prince Rupert Port Container Terminal
Grand Opening Ceremony September 12, 2007
“It’s surprising. It’s not a good start to renewed negotiations,” said Metlakatla Chief Councilor, Harold Leighton, of having found out about the new appointment by press release. “It’s typical of them and we have passed on our disappointment at not being involved (in the appointment).”
Prominent litigator and negotiator, Robert Eyford, was appointed in mid-January by the three main ministries involved in the port as part of what Minister of Transport Lawrence Cannon called an important development in moving the project forward.
“His (Eyford’s) appointment is another step towards achieving our long-term commitment to timely long-term solutions to First Nations’ concerns with Prince Rupert’s container terminal projects,” said Cannon.
The Lax Kw’Alaams and Metlakatla bands sought an injunction to halt work on the port in January 2006. The injunction was unsuccessful but the federal government knows it behooves it to settle the issue, which is the only black mark on the super project.
Said International Trade Minister, David Emerson: “Partnership was key to the new terminal being built and it will continue to drive the development of the Port of Prince Rupert in the future.”
That talk of partnership doesn’t seem to match the actions, though.
“I know nothing about him (Eyford) besides what I read in the news release,” said Leighton. “I thought we would be working together and be involved in choosing a negotiator.”
Robert Plecas was first given the task of brokering a deal between the two sides but was unable to produce one prior to the completion of the first phase of the project, although Leighton said there was a framework agreement and, for the most part, the Tsimshian were happy with Plecas.
Eyford is a litigation partner in private business as well as being a chief federal negotiator with Indian and Northern Affairs, which the Tsimshian are wary of.
“It doesn’t make sense to us,” said Leighton. “We had agreed we would find somebody independent, removed from government. A treaty negotiator just doesn’t sound good to me – but maybe he’ll surprise us.”
Indian Affairs Minister, Chuck Strahl, is confident Eyford will do just that.
“Mr. Eyford has an excellent background that is well suited to this important role,” said Strahl.
The first phase of the project was completed this past October, the finishing touch being the erection of three giant “super cranes” brought in from China, which allows the terminal to handle 500,000 containers annually. Phase Two is scheduled for completion in late 2011 and will triple the capacity.
NationTalk interview with former Prime Minister Paul Martin
NationTalk's Andre Morriseau sits down with former Prime Minister Paul Martin and discusses some new inititives, the Kelowna Accord, economic development and much more.