6 www.northislandgazette.com
Thursday, August 2, 2012
COMMENTARY Comments? Box 458, Port Hardy, B.C. V0N 2P0 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at editor@northislandgazette.com
Give cops their due In his introduction to Port Alice Council last week, incoming RCMP Constable Clayton Twamley joked that it was nice to get a friendly wave when passing an oncoming vehicle, “instead of the alternative.” Consider this our friendly wave. In recent years, B.C. law-enforcement officers have gotten plenty of press for the wrong reasons. Our public servants certainly need to be taken to task when they fall short of — or step beyond — the bounds of their profession. But for every airport taser death, sexual harassment scandal or missing women’s inquiry, there are innumerable positive outcomes that occur behind the scenes. This week’s dramatic rescue at sea is one of those rare cases that thrust the police to the top of the news cycle for something they’ve done exceedingly well. And plucking crew members from a fishing boat, in the dark, under the threat of an armed suspect, is as good as it gets. Cops are not only people, but our neighbours. When not in the news, they may be found in arenas coaching our kids, in schools providing valuable lessons or pedaling the highway fighting cancer. Next time you pass one of them, consider giving a wave. And use all your fingers.
We Asked You Question:
Should the Enbridge pipeline be allowed to terminate on the B.C. coast?
Yes 22%
No 78%
www.northislandgazette.com Total votes received for this question: 35 Voting deadline is Monday at 3 p.m.
Dentist David Baird, who is responsible for 30 years of smiles in Port McNeill, was elected to the B.C. dental board.
They’re baaack ... Closures have struck the Port Hardy ER this week as the ongoing physician shortage reared its ugly head.
First Nations Summit on pipeline The leadership of the First Nations Summit is concerned with the approach laid out yesterday by BC on heavy oil pipelines in British Columbia. “Yesterday’s announcement clearly shows the Provincial Government is on the wrong track and does not fully understand the level of opposition or the reasons for opposition to both the Northern Gateway Pipeline project and the Kinder Morgan Pipeline expansion project”, said Chief Doug White of the First Nations Summit Political Executive. “First Nations opposition to these projects is extremely strong and building. The Province should have sat down with First Nations and understood the basis for this opposition before wrongheadedly suggesting there is a viable pathway for these projects to proceed,” he added.
“...First Nations must be fully engaged in all processes leading to any and all government decisions regarding the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan proposals.” -Chief Doug White
“As we have clearly stated time and time again, First Nations must be fully engaged in all processes leading to any and all government decisions regarding the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan proposals. Given the law as developed in a long line of cases from the Supreme Court of Canada there is a legal requirement for governments to “consult and accommodate” First Nations regarding any and all land and resource development initiatives in their respective territories”, added Grand Chief Edward John of the FNS Political Executive.
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“Given the magnitude and potential environmental implications of these pipeline proposals, it is our view that the appropriate consultation standard is the “free, prior and informed consent” of all First Nations concerned. This standard of consent has been adopted by the Supreme Court of Canada and also the United Nations in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is now time to apply and give life to these important standards”, added Chief John. “BC First Nations opposition is a result of deep A member of
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and real concerns about the devastating impacts an oil spill would have should the pipelines be approved”, added Dan Smith, Also a member of the FNS Political Executive. First Nations leadership will continue to engage with the Province of BC on these important issues in an effort to voice the concerns of BC First Nations who are grappling with the potential impacts of proposed pipeline development projects in their traditional territories. The First Nations Summit speaks on behalf of First Nations involved in treaty negotiations in British Columbia. The Summit is also a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Further background information on the Summit may be found at www.fns.bc.ca. Tom Fletcher returns from vacation next week.
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