Last winter then-premier Glen Clark closed debate on the treaty and pushed it through the legislature since he did not like the criticisms of the Liberal opposition. When the treaty arrived in Ottawa for parliamentary approval, Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault said he would cut off debate if Reform MPs play games or take too long. Mr. Nault, it appears, does not subscribe to the view that a strong democracy needs vigorous debate. We have concerns too. These issues need to be discussed and explained if not resolved at least to the partial satisfaction of the people affected.
Reasonable people can disagree on different aspects of the treaty.
In the absence of a full debate, however, British Columbians will have difficulty making an informed opinion. Victoria and Ottawa mistakenly assume that once the treaty is passed, the public will accept it. The ill will created by the senior governments' disdain for the body politic in B.C., will, however, make the implementation of the Nisga'a treaty and the settlement of other land claims a political nightmare. In a recent poll commissioned by the federal government, only 50 per cent of British Columbians considered aboriginal welfare to be a high priority. The level of public support will erode further and provide less political legitimacy for this and future land claim settlements if the federal government curtails debate.