The outcome of the First Ministers Meeting in Saskatoon will be an early post-election indicator of what we can achieve with the Prime Minister’s call for nation-building projects.
First of all if we’re going to get everyone on board, a representative for all indigenous peoples should be included in the first Ministers conference.
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to housing, water, food security, health, and infrastructure needs. So these needs have to be addressed and agreed on by all parties involved.
This sounds like a good idea, but ignores the difficulty of finding consensus among the many and varied Indigenous communities on who might legitimately be able to act as a representative of "all Indigenous Peoples". Sure, one can (and undoubtedly will) turn to the AFN, but that would conveniently shut out those Indigenous voices less likely to fall in line with government plans...many if not most of which will involved development in/on Treaty or unceded lands.
I'd prioritize projects where two or more provinces want to work together to accomplish or build something or solve a common problem. Possible examples could be rural housing projects in regions such as the Atlantic provinces. Suppliers or strategies could be shared.
Another might be sharing medical specialist services across several provinces, via eHealth consultations. For example, telepsychiatry has been done via video or phone conferencing for many years in Canada. There is no reason these valuable resources could not be shared across provinces. All that needs to happen are agreements for
Locking in ideological trenches in these times will not work. Ideologies have brought us to this point. We are going to have exercise flexibility and the patience it requires to expeditiously re-shape this country. And ALL will have to be included. We can do this.
Pledge reader Tom Dougherty emailed these thoughts on Monday's post. We are -- with his permission -- sharing it here online (as well as in the comment section for Wed., June 4's post):
I am a retired environmental scientist. I did my field work in Canada's boreal forests.
For decades, I have feared that the unintended effects of industrial civilization would destabilize our forests, climate, air, soils, waters, biodiversity, and human health.
I am appalled that our various levels of government are doing so little to prevent climate change and destruction of our ecosystems. Nowhere is the seriousness of the consequences worse than in Canada's boreal forests.
As you know, those forests are largely populated by Indigenous people.
This summer, as in so many recent years, those forests are aflame. Thousands of people are being forced to flee for their lives. The wild animals are forced to remain and suffer.
While governments may temporarily rescue people, their lives will be forever changed by their experiences, especially when they lose their communities and the ecosystems on which they depend. For wildlife, this situation is an immeasurable disaster.
Our governments need to do much more to protect the homelands of the Indigenous peoples of Canada in perpetuity. It is no longer acceptable to claim that expansion of industrial activity and economic growth is required. Quite simply, this is discrimination against the Indigenous people of the boreal forest. They are being sacrificed on the altar of wealth.
I am saddened by the on-going immoral behaviour of the majority of Canadians, especially leaders of our governments and major corporations. I hope you will expose and condemn their attitudes and actions.
We now need no more new mines, pipelines, forestry operations. We need immediate reductions in pollution, especially greenhouse gas emissions, both here and in all other nations.
Interesting point. As for myself, I hadn't even noticed;) As a former federal public servant for 30 years, I wouldn't call it fragile at all. But the federal/provincial relationship has been fractitious at times. A literal power struggle, between the feds, which distribute most of the funding and has its own ideas about priorities, and the provinces, which have the responsibility to deliver on big ticket items like health care and education, to name just two.
I watched fed/prov negotiations to agree on issues to work on, like wait times on 6 types of operations, preceded by special research reports and followed by commitments by provinces to 'sign on' in order to get additional funding. I also observed excellent progress, on several major commitments, like electronic health.
If Mr. Carney can break down old animosity and get provinces to commit to common goals by working together, the sky is literally the limit. Canada has great civil servants at all levels - they and committed politicians can accomplish a great deal, by working productively with a wide range of stakeholders.
Thank you for your thoughts. I have never thought of it as fragile either. Really pleased with Carney. I believe he will be able to aid the premiers in seeing the big picture.
It is critical that First Nations are included at the First Ministers meeting as a balance to the Premiers. Too many of the Premiers see these times as an opportunity not to nation-build, but to advance their private agendas without regard to the future of Canadians, and only in the interests of the private sectors by whom they have been captured. I will name Ford and Smith as particularly egregious in this respect. The more holistic approach of First Nations may help put on the table the principles suggested by Social Capital Partners and keep Canada's actual future (not the pretend corporate/neoliberal promise) front of mind.
How about, Rational Thought in Service of the People? Time to cycle out of the umpteenth round of the Guilded Age. Maybe this time, we can make Enlightenment stick.
There is no reason to hesitate,,,get all Canada 🇨🇦 and Canadians working. No more bee 🐝 esion. Get these big projects going especially up in northern Canada. The hell with the budget get theses projects going. “NOW “
Yes! We appreciate you spreading the word: We must remake our economic model so that independent entrepreneurs, smaller businesses and new ventures have a real chance to compete against our entrenched, consolidated and financialized corporate sector.
First of all if we’re going to get everyone on board, a representative for all indigenous peoples should be included in the first Ministers conference.
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to housing, water, food security, health, and infrastructure needs. So these needs have to be addressed and agreed on by all parties involved.
I agree wholeheartedly with you.
Leader of the AFN perhaps
This sounds like a good idea, but ignores the difficulty of finding consensus among the many and varied Indigenous communities on who might legitimately be able to act as a representative of "all Indigenous Peoples". Sure, one can (and undoubtedly will) turn to the AFN, but that would conveniently shut out those Indigenous voices less likely to fall in line with government plans...many if not most of which will involved development in/on Treaty or unceded lands.
I'd prioritize projects where two or more provinces want to work together to accomplish or build something or solve a common problem. Possible examples could be rural housing projects in regions such as the Atlantic provinces. Suppliers or strategies could be shared.
Another might be sharing medical specialist services across several provinces, via eHealth consultations. For example, telepsychiatry has been done via video or phone conferencing for many years in Canada. There is no reason these valuable resources could not be shared across provinces. All that needs to happen are agreements for
billing.
Locking in ideological trenches in these times will not work. Ideologies have brought us to this point. We are going to have exercise flexibility and the patience it requires to expeditiously re-shape this country. And ALL will have to be included. We can do this.
It's not enough build Canada - we have to make sure Canadians benefit.
Pledge reader Tom Dougherty emailed these thoughts on Monday's post. We are -- with his permission -- sharing it here online (as well as in the comment section for Wed., June 4's post):
I am a retired environmental scientist. I did my field work in Canada's boreal forests.
For decades, I have feared that the unintended effects of industrial civilization would destabilize our forests, climate, air, soils, waters, biodiversity, and human health.
I am appalled that our various levels of government are doing so little to prevent climate change and destruction of our ecosystems. Nowhere is the seriousness of the consequences worse than in Canada's boreal forests.
As you know, those forests are largely populated by Indigenous people.
This summer, as in so many recent years, those forests are aflame. Thousands of people are being forced to flee for their lives. The wild animals are forced to remain and suffer.
While governments may temporarily rescue people, their lives will be forever changed by their experiences, especially when they lose their communities and the ecosystems on which they depend. For wildlife, this situation is an immeasurable disaster.
Our governments need to do much more to protect the homelands of the Indigenous peoples of Canada in perpetuity. It is no longer acceptable to claim that expansion of industrial activity and economic growth is required. Quite simply, this is discrimination against the Indigenous people of the boreal forest. They are being sacrificed on the altar of wealth.
I am saddened by the on-going immoral behaviour of the majority of Canadians, especially leaders of our governments and major corporations. I hope you will expose and condemn their attitudes and actions.
We now need no more new mines, pipelines, forestry operations. We need immediate reductions in pollution, especially greenhouse gas emissions, both here and in all other nations.
Tom Dougherty
Ottawa
Is it wise to write a headline stating that Canada has a “fragile federation”. Avaricious people south of us read too.
fair question - that said, “never 51”
Interesting point. As for myself, I hadn't even noticed;) As a former federal public servant for 30 years, I wouldn't call it fragile at all. But the federal/provincial relationship has been fractitious at times. A literal power struggle, between the feds, which distribute most of the funding and has its own ideas about priorities, and the provinces, which have the responsibility to deliver on big ticket items like health care and education, to name just two.
I watched fed/prov negotiations to agree on issues to work on, like wait times on 6 types of operations, preceded by special research reports and followed by commitments by provinces to 'sign on' in order to get additional funding. I also observed excellent progress, on several major commitments, like electronic health.
If Mr. Carney can break down old animosity and get provinces to commit to common goals by working together, the sky is literally the limit. Canada has great civil servants at all levels - they and committed politicians can accomplish a great deal, by working productively with a wide range of stakeholders.
Thank you for your thoughts. I have never thought of it as fragile either. Really pleased with Carney. I believe he will be able to aid the premiers in seeing the big picture.
It is critical that First Nations are included at the First Ministers meeting as a balance to the Premiers. Too many of the Premiers see these times as an opportunity not to nation-build, but to advance their private agendas without regard to the future of Canadians, and only in the interests of the private sectors by whom they have been captured. I will name Ford and Smith as particularly egregious in this respect. The more holistic approach of First Nations may help put on the table the principles suggested by Social Capital Partners and keep Canada's actual future (not the pretend corporate/neoliberal promise) front of mind.
How about, Rational Thought in Service of the People? Time to cycle out of the umpteenth round of the Guilded Age. Maybe this time, we can make Enlightenment stick.
There is no reason to hesitate,,,get all Canada 🇨🇦 and Canadians working. No more bee 🐝 esion. Get these big projects going especially up in northern Canada. The hell with the budget get theses projects going. “NOW “
Ontario wants climate assessments removed too.
achieving big things is always messy - decades ago Ontario didn’t want public healthcare
I'm just pointing out that it is not just Ab and Sk, that Ford is complicit.
yes, I was sort of agreeing with you in my roundabout way
Yes, I get it. Thx.
Yes! We appreciate you spreading the word: We must remake our economic model so that independent entrepreneurs, smaller businesses and new ventures have a real chance to compete against our entrenched, consolidated and financialized corporate sector.