March 12, 2003

Liberals Breaking Promises On Treaties

Reform BC was in Prince George this past weekend. Despite the 23 degrees below and turbulent snowstorm we had a successful meeting with some of the town folk and a member of the Nisga'a. This Indian person, along with Chief Mountain, definitely does not support the Nisga'a Treaty or a new order of government. They state they are both a Canadian and Nisga;a and want to remain protected under the Canadian constitution.

John Weston, lawyer for Chief Mountain, has written a lengthy and concise article on this matter. Below are excerpts from his presentation to the Fraser Institute;

The BC Liberals have broken many of their promises, especially when Premier Campbell, on December 7, 1998, rose as Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition to state that in the order of the Nisga’a Treaty:

“We cannot endorse a misguided model of self-government that is being imposed on British Columbians without their consent... At the very least, we should be waiting until the courts decide whether this treaty is constitutional and whether there must be a referendum under the Constitutional Amendment Approval Act. We don't think the model of government proposed in this treaty is constitutional without an amendment.”

The Liberals after becoming government took their policy to the people in the 2001 Referendum. They received the mandate they sought, with an overwhelming percentage of voters supporting local-style government for the Indian people. The Liberals have surprised everyone yet again by abandoning many of the positions solidly established through public support in the Referendum.

Former Supreme Court of Canada Judge Willard “Bud” Estey stated in his presentation to the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, on March 22, 2000: “The [Treaty] provides for the transfer from the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to the Nisga’a Nation very significant sovereign powers presently possessed by Canada and British Columbia in accordance with the Constitution of Canada. This transfer is, by itself, unconstitutional.

Reform BC is the only political party that, as government, is prepared to constitutionally undo the mess the NDP / Liberals have gotten us into. And if need be, will go to the people by referendum under the Constitutional Amendment Approval Act or implement the not withstanding clause under Section 33 as it should have been done by the BC Liberal government in the first place.

To review more information on the Chief Mountain Challenge go to http://www.accesslaw.ca/

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For More Information contact:

Ron Gamble, Leader
PO Box 466, Surrey Main Surrey, BC V3T 5B7
Phone: 604-980-7779
E-mail: info@reformbc.net
Web site: www.reformbc.net