Question Period Note: Wet'suwet'en MOU

About

Reference number:
CIR-2022-QP-00001
Date received:
Dec 17, 2021
Organization:
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Name of Minister:
Miller, Marc (Hon.)
Title of Minister:
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Suggested Response:

• The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, Canada and British Columbia have been engaged in negotiations since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on May 14, 2020.
• The MOU establishes a path for substantive negotiations towards agreements that would describe the implementation of Wet’suwet’en rights and title.
• Once reached, agreements negotiated pursuant to the MOU will be taken back to all Wet’suwet’en people through a ratification process that must clearly demonstrate their support.

Background:

N/A

Additional Information:

Pipeline
• Our February 2020 discussions with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and the BC government ocused on two distinct issues – Wet’suwet’en rights and title, and issues arising out of the CGL pipeline.
• Federal discussions since the signing of the MOU have focused on Wet’suwet’en rights and title.
• While the CGL pipeline remains within provincial jurisdiction, we recognize the seriousness of the current situation on the territory.
• The way forward is through peaceful dialogue grounded in respect for all parties involved.

Hereditary Chiefs Engagement with Elected Chiefs
• The hereditary chiefs took the case of Wet’suwet’en rights and title to the Supreme Court of Canada in Delgamuukw-Gisday’wa [del-dum-OOK gis-day-away] (1997).
• We expect there will be sustained engagement by the Wet’suwet’en hereditary leaders with their house members, including those with differing points of view.
• Agreements, once reached, will be taken back to all Wet’suwet’en people through a ratification process that must clearly demonstrate their support.
If Pressed on Delays
• All parties have been working towards advancing negotiations and remain committed to reaching agreements that would describe the implementation of Wet’suwet’en rights and title and governance.
• The impacts of colonialism raises very complex issues that we are committed to addressing in collaboration with the Wet’suwet’en and Government of British Columbia. This critical work, including building trust between the Parties, takes time, patience and commitment.
• Given COVID-19 restrictions, all parties have been flexible in how we negotiate these agreements and the timelines for achieving milestones.

If pressed on Nathan Cullen
• Mr. Cullen already had an established role with the government of British Columbia to facilitate conversations with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and to represent the government’s position.
• We formalized his role to indicate to the Hereditary Chiefs that the views of the federal government were also being conveyed by Mr. Cullen to advance the conversation.
• Due to the unpredictable nature of the situation, Mr. Cullen’s contract was designed to allow for necessary flexibility.
If pressed further on Nathan Cullen contract
• In his role as Ministerial Special Representative, Mr. Cullen provided strategic advice to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and to federal representatives, and facilitated discussions between Canada, British Columbia and the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs with respect to Wet’suwet’en rights and title.
• Mr. Cullen’s work contributed to a Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed on May 14, 2020, to proceed with a process to recognize Wet’suwet’en rights and title.
• As disclosed in the Government of Canada’s Public Accounts, the final value of Mr. Cullen’s contract was $21,229.11 (including expenses and taxes).