🚀 go-pugleaf

schreck@wimsey.com (David Schreck) wrote:

>So maybe one of you can explain Campbell's statements made yesterday about a 
>possible land claim offer in the context of Liberal policy - the web site for 
>Vancouver Island libs just gives an error message when one clicks on 
>aboriginal affairs.  

C'mon David, give it a break.  I've aleady told you that it is run by a
bunch of kids at UVic who do have other things to worry about than to cater
to your silliness.  Strange as it may seem to you, they are at school to
learn something.  The Liberal party does not have at its disposal 350 civil
servants to second to party projects at public expense.

>Campbell is widely quoted as repeatedly saying "one law 
>for all."  There's no problem with that but what does it have to do with 
>reaching a settlement.  Does he mean that he'd never negotiate and instead 
>place our future in the hands of the courts,or does it just mean that he'd 
>rather play bingo than articulate his party's vision of public policy?

If you had been doing your job as a Member of the Legislature, you would
have seen this long time ago (please note the date):


                           NEWS RELEASE

                 BC Liberal Official Opposition
     Room 201, Parliament Buildings, Victoria B.C. V8V 1X4
         Phone (604) 356-6171   Fax (604) 356-6176


                                                   Immediate Release
                                                       June 21, 1995

               B.C. LIBERALS ADVOCATE ONE LAW FOR ALL
             BRITISH COLUMBIANS IN TREATY NEGOTIATIONS

 Victoria -- B.C. Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell today released a
discussion paper outlining improvements to aboriginal treaty negotiations
to
include all British Columbians in the process.

 Campbell said the negotiation of treaties is one of the most critical
issues facing British Columbians today. "It represents an opportunity for
aboriginal peoples to take control of their communities and provide for
their futures. Treaties will also establish the certainty necessary to
create a more prosperous province for all."

 "Negotiations with aboriginal peoples will be open to ensure the public is
kept informed of the critical issues being debated on their behalf.
This can only be done by changing the current system to make it more open
to the public."

 Campbell stated that B.C. Liberals are committed to protecting the
existing property rights of British Columbians, which is reflected in the
proposed Treaty Mandate released for public discussion.

 The proposed Treaty Mandate outlined in the B.C. Liberal discussion paper
includes the following:

 � One Law For All British Columbians -- B.C. Liberals support enhancing
economic opportunities for aboriginal peoples. However, the creation
of special property rights for any one group of British Columbians will not
be supported.

 � Private Property Will Be Protected -- By private property rights, B.C.
Liberals include not only fee simple ownership of land, but also leases
and licenses.

 � No More Interim Measures Agreements -- Lasting treaties are preferable
to stop-gap interim measures agreements. Resources now being
diverted to ad hoc, secretly negotiated interim agreements are better
devoted to the open negotiation of final and binding treaties.

Under a B.C. Liberal government, negotiators, which will include
representatives from communities directly affected, will take their
direction
from the Treaty Mandate once it has been approved by a free vote in the
Legislature. Once a proposed agreement has been reached, public
hearings will be held in communities directly affected, followed by a free
vote in the Legislature.

"The B.C. Liberal Caucus believes the proposals released today offer a fair
and open settlement process for treaty negotiations in British
Columbia. We welcome public input on our proposals."

The discussion paper has been reviewed with people from all over the
province. "After a recent tour of the north, I think this is a good
starting
point for discussion," added Campbell.

British Columbians seeking further information on the B.C. Liberal proposed
Treaty Mandate and aboriginal discussion paper can contact the
B.C. Liberal Caucus at 356-6171.

      (end)

For further information contact:
B.C. Liberal Communications
387-8591



Karl Pollak
Bottom Line Productions           Canadian Infomaticon BBS,
Richmond, British Columbia        Fido 1:153/965  (604) 275-9579