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Why recognizing Indigenous rights is key to our future

After decades of conflict, violence and denial of rights, the B.C. government says it’s ready to change its approach to Indigenous people.

On election night, Canadians voted against politics as usual.

Wild salmon are the backbone of Indigenous cultures across B.C. and a key part of the food chain. Diluted bitumen is a toxic heavy crude oil blend that sinks in water. One spill could wipe out salmon runs already hit hard by climate change and habitat loss.

One year ago, Canadians bought a pipeline and oil tanker terminal. The system is 66 years old. It cost us $4.4 billion. Beyond that, the numbers are secret.

Justin Trudeau approved the Trans Mountain pipeline and oil tanker expansion, again — and now he plans to try to build it with $10 billion of public money.

Let’s show him what a huge mistake he made.

Raging wildfires and record floods are hammering our country. Evacuations and air quality warnings are becoming the new normal. And the companies fuelling the climate emergency are using our money to do it.

While everyday people struggle to get by, Canadian politicians give billions of dollars in handouts and tax breaks to oil, coal and gas companies each year. Our precious public resources should be making people’s lives better and tackling the climate crisis, not lining the pockets of CEOs.

Instead of tackling the climate crisis, Canadian politicians are pumping billions of public dollars into risky pipeline and oil tanker expansion. We can’t let them get away with this.

Ready to take action in your community?

The Tsilhqot’in were the first Indigenous nation in Canada to prove title to their territory in the Supreme Court. But five years later, they still have to fight for companies to respect them on their own land.

Remember the Mount Polley mine disaster? It’s worse than you thought. The company responsible is now pumping untreated mine waste straight into Quesnel Lake. Not only has Imperial Metals never faced fines or charges, they’re still polluting this prime sockeye salmon lake.

Imperial Metals still hasn’t faced any charges or fines after the Mount Polley mine dam collapse. Five years later, the company pipes its mine waste straight into Quesnel Lake.

Now Imperial wants a new permit to drill for gold next to Manning Park and Skagit Provincial Park.

The Mount Polley tailings dam failure unleashed 25 billion litres of contaminated sludge — destroying a salmon stream, dumping mine waste into Quesnel Lake and sending a plume of toxic chemicals down the Fraser River. To this day, the company responsible has faced no charges, fines or penalties.

More and more youth are becoming engaged and participating in politics, around the world and here in British Columbia. They are well-educated, compassionate, mature and ready to make a difference in our province. It’s time to lower the voting age to 16 in B.C. and give youth a voice!