“Resources Minister Rickford
faces aboriginal backlash over Enbridge project.”
So read the headline published in the GLOBE AND MAIL, dated
March 21, 2014 and written by a Shawn McCarthy.
Perhaps, the headline should have read, “…continued
backlash…?”
As you know, “Following a cabinet shuffle prompted by Jim
Flaherty’s resignation, former minister of state for science Greg Rickford has
taken over the natural resources post from Joe Oliver, who replaces Mr.
Flaherty as finance minister.
As you know too, Prime Minister Stephen Harper once said the
proposed Enbridge Gateway project is a “ no-brainer.” Therefore, for the newly
appointed (Natural) Resources Minister, the “looming” decision to go-ahead with
the National Energy Board’s recommendation to approve the project should also
be a no-brainer. I don’t think he will want to contradict or disappoint his
leader.
However, one must question the timing of the change to
replace Joe Oliver as that move may also indicate the lack of value the Prime
Minister has in “Aboriginal” relations regarding resource development
especially the proposed Enbridge project?
Replacing Oliver with Rickford is untimely and has certainly
added to the aboriginal backlash already well known especially within the BC
communities. Now, Rickford will likely need to connect with former Environment
and Indian Affairs Minister, Jim Prentice, contracted by Enbridge “ to
negotiate with aboriginal communities on its behalf” and try to establish trust
and meaningful relationships with potentially affected First Nations.
These two new faces though will likely do little to quell
the “continued” backlash that will certainly persist even when the new Minister
Rickford approves the go-ahead come July 2014. After all, “…said Art Sterrit,
executive director of Coastal First Nations, which represents nine nations on
the B.C. coast. “There’s no way anybody in B.C. is going to support that
project any time soon.”
