A Call for Canada to Get Serious About BC Treaty Process

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

""Though we have seen some progress such as the recent Maanulth Treaty, the federal government's commitment to the BC treaty-making process appears to have waned in recent years. "
- - -

MABC Calls for Recommitment to BC Treaty Process

Treaties Part of the Mix to Sustain BC's Mining Renaissance

VANCOUVER, May 10, 2011

Today, in an address to the Vancouver Board of Trade, Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) President and CEO, Pierre Gratton, called upon the federal government to recommit to the BC Treaty Process.

"First Nations treaties are one of the best ways society has of providing greater certainty on the land base, stimulating economic investment and providing a vehicle for reconciliation with First Nations," stated Gratton. "Though we have seen some progress such as the recent Maanulth Treaty, the federal government's commitment to the BC treaty-making process appears to have waned in recent years. MABC joins First Nations in calling on the federal government to recommit to this effort."

In his final annual address to the Board of Trade before leaving Vancouver to become President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada, Gratton spoke of the significant growth currently underway in BC's mining sector. This growth, coined BC's Mining Renaissance, is supported by significant expansions of existing mines, new major mine developments and rising exploration. To sustain this activity over the long-term, Gratton outlined a number of actions for governments, industry and others to undertake, in addition to a renewed commitment to the treaty process:

Industry can commit to initiatives such as Towards Sustainable Mining to improve their sustainability performance, including how companies engage with First Nations.
The Province can accelerate the implementation of resource revenue sharing. Two agreements were signed last August, but nothing since. Many more new mines and mine expansions are eligible.
Industry, governments and First Nations can build on and expand initiatives like the Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA), a federally-funded program that offers training and job experience for First Nations mine workers.

"The BC mining sector has achieved so much in three years," concluded Gratton. "We've emerged as a sector on which the Province and many BC communities have pinned their hopes. Settling treaties, committing to TSM, resource revenue sharing, and initiatives like the BC AMTA will ensure BC's mining renaissance continues."

MABC represents companies involved in the exploration and development, mining and smelting of minerals, metals, coal and industrial minerals in British Columbia. MABC is the pre-eminent voice of mining in the province.

For further information:

For more information or a copy of Pierre Gratton's speech, contact Ryan Tessier at 778-990-9544 or rtessier@prassociates.com.