Hill demands Nisga’a vote for all British Columbians

November 19, 1999

OTTAWA- The Standing Committee on Indian Affairs travelled to BC this week to hold hearings on ratification of the Nisga’a treaty. Immediately upon returning to Ottawa from the so-called hearings in Prince George, Jay Hill, MP, posed the following questions to the government in Question Period today:

"On Wednesday I had the misfortune of attending the Indian affairs committee hearing on the Nisga'a treaty in Prince George. Why taxpayers would pay to fly pro treaty witnesses from Vancouver Island and the lower mainland to Prince George, while denying locals the right to be heard, is quite frankly, beyond me.

Since the government has proven the hearings to be the farce that we feared, will the government now conduct a province-wide referendum so that the people of British Columbia can have a say on the Nisga'a treaty?

" Mr. Speaker, In Prince George on Wednesday the committee only heard from four witnesses all day, three of which were from southern British Columbia. Even though three organizations backed out at the last minute, the committee chair denied representatives from B.C. in Focus and the Central Interior Logging Association an opportunity to speak.

Only the Nisga'a have had a direct vote on this treaty. Other affected Indian bands have not been granted the same right.

Before it rams the Nisga'a treaty through this House, will the government conduct a referendum so that all British Columbians, aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike, can have a direct vote on the Nisga'a treaty?"

Following Question Period, Hill concluded by stating, "The Official Opposition forced the government to send the Standing Committee to British Columbia in order to open their eyes to the real problems with the Nisga’a deal. However, the only eyes opened were those of British Columbians to the autocratic actions of the federal Liberals. It was a disgusting display of arrogance and a total disregard for the democratic rights of northerners!