Latest news with #DonTom
The Province
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Province
'A snake oil salesman': B.C. First Nations call out Premier David Eby before unveiling of economic vision
First Nations say 'era of trust is over' with the NDP government, while environmental groups worry legislation will be used to fast track LNG Don Tom, chief of the Tsartlip First Nation, says Bill 15 concentrates power within the provincial cabinet. Photo by CHAD HIPOLITO / THE CANADIAN PRESS Before a press conference billed by Premier David Eby as the unveiling of B.C.'s future economic direction, First Nations leaders and environmental activists said 'the era of trust is over' when it comes to relations with the NDP government. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don Tom, chief of the Tsartlip First Nation, told reporters in Victoria that the government's recently introduced fast-tracking legislation, which expedites the environmental assessment process for schools, hospitals, wind power projects and others deemed 'provincially significant,' walks all over First Nations and the environmental process the NDP themselves introduced. While the premier and Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma have pitched Bill 15 as a necessary measure to get critical infrastructure built in communities across B.C., Tom said that what it really does is concentrate power within the provincial cabinet. 'This bill gives cabinet the authority to override permitting and environmental assessments for projects they deem priority,' he said. 'There are no clear limits, no binding safeguards, no commitment to co-governance with the rights holders. This means major infrastructure, including potentially extractive projects, could be fast-tracked without our involvement, without proper scrutiny.' Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hugh Braker, First Nations Summit political executive, said he had voted for the NDP in the last provincial election, as did Tom, but would not be making that mistake again. He said it is too late to 'tinker' with the legislation and that the only path forward for the government is to withdraw the bill if it wants to rebuild trust with First Nations. On the environmental side of the equation, Andhra Azevedo, a staff lawyer with Ecojustice, and Kiki Wood, senior oil and gas campaigner for said there is no guarantee the government won't use Bill 15 for fossil fuel projects it deems 'provincially significant,' even if the NDP has said they will not. What Eby has said he will use the legislation for is to expedite certain mining projects, such as those that produce critical minerals. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Bill 15, as written, fails to respect the purpose of our environmental laws that this government had previously strengthened,' said Azevedo. B.C. Premier David Eby says he will use Bill 15 to expedite mining projects that produce critical minerals. Photo by B.C. Government Torrance Coste of the Wilderness Committee added that the premier is using the threat of U.S. tariffs as justification to use tactics similar to those used by U.S. President Donald Trump. Asked what Eby had told Indigenous leaders during his two meetings with them regarding the bill, Tom said he had been 'dismissive' and didn't 'seem inclined to hear our concerns.' The chief said he has heard of dissension in the NDP ranks but would not elaborate and so far no MLA has spoken out publicly against the government's direction. 'Right now, when it comes to Bill 14 and 15, Mr. Eby is a snake oil salesman. He'll tell us how great it is, what the benefits are but we know, in reality, that it will do us no good,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We'll take every legal means possible to not only quash Bill 14 and 15 but, should they somehow get it passed that, no First Nations wants to use their resources to go into court, but we are prepared to, and we are co-ordinating our efforts as we speak.' Speaking to Postmedia last week, Eby said that if First Nations want to go to court over Bill 15, that is their prerogative and that his government's lawyers will be prepared to make any argument in court they need in defence of the legislation. He said that, at the end of the day, the province needs to make sure it gets infrastructure built, both for growing communities and the province's economic development. 'The bill's about speeding up essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals and roads as well as major economic projects that the province is reliant on to create jobs and prosperity at a time when our economy is under direct attack,' said Eby. 'I think we can make any necessary arguments in court about how First Nations will have to actually consent to have these fast track processes applied to private sector projects that take place in their core territory.' More to come … Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Crime News
Toronto Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
'A snake oil salesman': B.C. First Nations call out Premier David Eby before he unveils economic vision
First Nations say 'era of trust is over' with the NDP government, while environmental groups worry legislation will be used to fastrack LNG Don Tom, chief of the Tsartlip First Nation, says Bill 15 concentrates power within the provincial cabinet. Photo by CHAD HIPOLITO / THE CANADIAN PRESS Before a press conference billed by Premier David Eby as the unveiling of B.C.'s future economic direction, First Nations leaders and environmental activists said 'the era of trust is over' when it comes to relations with the NDP government. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Don Tom, chief of the Tsartlip First Nation, told reporters in Victoria that the government's recently introduced fast-tracking legislation, which expedites the environmental assessment process for schools, hospitals, wind power projects and others deemed 'provincially significant,' walks all over First Nations and the environmental process the NDP themselves introduced. While the premier and Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma have pitched Bill 15 as a necessary measure to get critical infrastructure built in communities across B.C., Tom said that what it really does is concentrate power within the provincial cabinet. 'This bill gives cabinet the authority to override permitting and environmental assessments for projects they deem priority,' he said. 'There are no clear limits, no binding safeguards, no commitment to co-governance with the rights holders. This means major infrastructure, including potentially extractive projects, could be fast-tracked without our involvement, without proper scrutiny.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hugh Braker, First Nations Summit political executive, said he had voted for the NDP in the last provincial election, as did Tom, but would not be making that mistake again. He said it is too late to 'tinker' with the legislation and that the only path forward for the government is to withdraw the bill if it wants to rebuild trust with First Nations. On the environmental side of the equation, Andhra Azevedo, a staff lawyer with Ecojustice, and Kiki Wood, senior oil and gas campaigner for said there is no guarantee the government won't use Bill 15 for fossil fuel projects it deems 'provincially significant,' even if the NDP has said they will not. What Eby has said he will use the legislation for is to expedite certain mining projects, such as those that produce critical minerals. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Bill 15, as written, fails to respect the purpose of our environmental laws that this government had previously strengthened,' said Azevedo. B.C. Premier David Eby says he will use Bill 15 to expedite mining projects that produce critical minerals. Photo by B.C. Government Torrance Coste of the Wilderness Committee added that the premier is using the threat of U.S. tariffs as justification to use tactics similar to those used by U.S. President Donald Trump. Asked what Eby had told Indigenous leaders during his two meetings with them regarding the bill, Tom said he had been 'dismissive' and didn't 'seem inclined to hear our concerns.' The chief said he has heard of dissension in the NDP ranks but would not elaborate and so far no MLA has spoken out publicly against the government's direction. 'Right now, when it comes to Bill 14 and 15, Mr. Eby is a snake oil salesman. He'll tell us how great it is, what the benefits are but we know, in reality, that it will do us no good,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We'll take every legal means possible to not only quash Bill 14 and 15 but, should they somehow get it passed that, no First Nations wants to use their resources to go into court, but we are prepared to, and we are co-ordinating our efforts as we speak.' Speaking to Postmedia last week, Eby said that if First Nations want to go to court over Bill 15, that is their prerogative and that his government's lawyers will be prepared to make any argument in court they need in defence of the legislation. He said that, at the end of the day, the province needs to make sure it gets infrastructure built, both for growing communities and the province's economic development. 'The bill's about speeding up essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals and roads as well as major economic projects that the province is reliant on to create jobs and prosperity at a time when our economy is under direct attack,' said Eby. 'I think we can make any necessary arguments in court about how First Nations will have to actually consent to have these fast track processes applied to private sector projects that take place in their core territory.' More to come … Read More Relationships Columnists Football Ontario Celebrity
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Chief says ‘era of trust' between First Nations and Eby is over if bills pass
Tsartlip First Nation Chief Don Tom speaks during a ceremony in the Hall of Honour at the Legislature, in Victoria, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito VICTORIA — A First Nations leader says the 'era of trust' with the government of B.C. Premier David Eby is over if two bills responding to American tariffs pass this week. Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation in Greater Victoria says First Nations will do everything in their legal power to kill bills 14 and 15, adding that First Nations will remember the actions of the government at the next election. Tom says at a protest in downtown Victoria steps away from the legislature that this won't just apply to the Premier himself, but every MLA who votes for the bills. The government says Bill 15 is needed to speed up public and private infrastructure projects in the face of tariff threats from the United States, while Bill 14 would streamline permitting for renewable energy projects, such as wind farms. First Nations want the bills withdrawn or revised, saying they undermine environmental standards and the constitutional rights of consultation for First Nations. Tom, who attended a meeting between Eby and the First Nations Leadership Council this month, says First Nations have 'a good record in the court system' when it comes to protecting their constitutional rights for consultation. This report by Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press, was first published May 26, 2025.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Chief says ‘era of trust' between First Nations and Eby is over if bills pass
Tsartlip First Nation Chief Don Tom speaks during a ceremony in the Hall of Honour at the Legislature, in Victoria, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito VICTORIA — A First Nations leader says the 'era of trust' with the government of B.C. Premier David Eby is over if two bills responding to American tariffs pass this week. Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation in Greater Victoria says First Nations will do everything in their legal power to kill bills 14 and 15, adding that First Nations will remember the actions of the government at the next election. Tom says at a protest in downtown Victoria steps away from the legislature that this won't just apply to the Premier himself, but every MLA who votes for the bills. The government says Bill 15 is needed to speed up public and private infrastructure projects in the face of tariff threats from the United States, while Bill 14 would streamline permitting for renewable energy projects, such as wind farms. First Nations want the bills withdrawn or revised, saying they undermine environmental standards and the constitutional rights of consultation for First Nations. Tom, who attended a meeting between Eby and the First Nations Leadership Council this month, says First Nations have 'a good record in the court system' when it comes to protecting their constitutional rights for consultation. This report by Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press, was first published May 26, 2025.
CBC
09-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Premier stands behind bill to fast-track infrastructure projects, despite growing backlash
Social Sharing Premier David Eby is not backing down from proposed legislation that would allow the government to fast-track infrastructure projects. This, despite considerable pushback from Indigenous leaders and opposition parties who fear Bill 15 is so broad, it will give the government carte blanche to steamroll over environmental protections and First Nations rights. "It's draconian legislation," says Tsartlip First Nations Chief Don Tom. "To me, this is a gold rush. This is a gold rush that opens anyone up for business." The Infrastructure Projects Act, if passed, will speed up the approval process for hospitals, schools and bridges, as well as private projects like critical mineral mines, as long as they're deemed projects of "provincial significance." A separate piece of legislation will also speed up the approval of clean energy projects. The backdrop is the ongoing trade war with the U.S. and Eby's pledge to reduce B.C.'s reliance on our southern neighbour by boosting economic development in our own province. B.C. moves to speed up energy projects amid growing demand and environmental concerns 4 days ago Duration 2:09 B.C.'s premier and energy minister are putting out a new call for electricity. The move comes as BC Hydro tries to boost its capacity to help build and power massive new projects. But as Katie DeRosa reports, critics are worried the energy projects could be fast-tracked despite potential concerns from First Nations and environmental groups. But in the rush to do that, Tom says the premier has forgotten about the government's commitments to consult with First Nations under the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Eby apologized for that during a meeting Wednesday with First Nations leaders, which Tom attended, but gave no indication the province would go back to the drawing board on the legislation. He told Stephen Quinn, the host of CBC's The Early Edition, that some of the backlash is due to a misunderstanding of the spirit of the legislation. He says in many cases, First Nations communities are the ones that stand to benefit from the job-creating projects. "A lot of the pressure we're feeling around these projects is coming from Indigenous leaders in different parts of the province. They want projects that they're supporting to move faster," Eby said. The B.C. Greens, however, intend to vote against the bill. That's despite a co-operation agreement the Greens have with the NDP government to vote with them on certain pieces of legislation. "It's just too broad," said Jeremy Valeriote, interim Green Party leader. "We can't just throw open the door for cabinet to decide that anything, including a pipeline or an LNG project, could be provincially significant." Eby insists the legislation won't be used for pipelines or LNG projects. However, Dr. Tim Takaro, a Vancouver-based doctor and member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, says if that's the case, it should be specifically written into the legislation. Otherwise, it opens the door for future political parties to take a different interpretation. "It's crucial that we not make it easier to build fossil fuel energy infrastructure, and this bill does make it easier," Takaro says. The B.C. Conservatives also oppose the bill, which Leader John Rustad has called a "power grab." That means with its narrow one-seat majority, the NDP will have to use the Speaker to break a tie if all opposition MLAs line up against it. Speaker Raj Chouhan, who is an NDP MLA, but in his Speaker's role is supposed to be neutral, can vote to break a tie, to maintain the stability of the legislature. Nicholas Kenny, a political analyst and history professor at Simon Fraser University, says this bill exposes the shaky ground Eby's NDP government is on, considering its razor-thin majority. "This puts the government in a delicate situation because they're going to have to rely on that vote of the Speaker to break what we expect to be a tie," Kenny said. "The government has said that this is a matter of confidence. So, if the government loses this vote, if somebody on the NDP side is sick or decides to go against their government and vote against this, we would be into a provincial election. The government would fall." Eby remains confident he has the backing of all of NDP MLAs on this bill. B.C. government pulling part of tariff response bill 1 month ago Duration 1:57 B.C. Premier David Eby said his party will be pulling Part 4 of Bill 7, his government's response to U.S. tariffs, in response to concerns from key stakeholders. Eby said that while his government needs to be able to act quickly in response to the U.S. president's economic targeting of British Columbia, democratic and legislative oversight is still a priority. This is not the first time Eby's been accused of presenting a bill that would give his government sweeping powers in response to Donald Trump's tariff threat. In March, the premier walked back a key portion of the government's tariff response bill, Bill 7, which critics said would give the NDP unchecked powers to implement any measures that support the economy. Eby admitted then: "I didn't get the balance right in terms of the ability to move quickly and necessary safeguards."
