The Chilliwack Progress from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada • Page 7

Daily Opinion THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS DAILY, Weekend Edition, August 4, 2007 7 QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Are you concerned about global warming? WWW.THEPR0GRESS.COM RAESIDE GUEST EDITORIAL Security added to Canadian border The first armed Canada Border Services officers at Abbotsford's Huntingdon border crossing graduated from their three-week firearms training program on Friday in Chilliwack. There will immediately be two armed officers at Huntingdon, and there will be 100 armed officers across the country by the end of August. The Conservative government made a controversial decision to arm its border services personnel after a series of recent firearms-related incidents. It was the right decision. There had been a shootout with murder suspects from California on the U.S.

side of the Peace Arch Border Crossing, and twice the staff at Huntingdon abandoned their posts when it was learned that armed U.S. fugitives were making a run for the Canadian border. There was a surprised reaction in the media, as British Columbians learned that our border guards had no choice but to flee if they felt their life or safety was in danger. The incredulous tone of the media coverage in the U.S. was an embarrassment to Canadians.

Still, it was not an easy decision. There are solid arguments to be made on both sides of this issue. Just as some nations have decided that there is no reason to arm police officers on the beat, many will argue that there is no reason to give border officers the right to use lethal force. On the other hand, with the easy access to handguns in the U.S., Canada Customs workers regularly deal with Americans who are carrying firearms. The Conservative government has done more than just begin arming border guards, it has also doubled up single-person shifts at the border, which meant hiring and training 400 people across the country.

This increases security for both the staff working on our borders, and for the entire country. For those who would seek to challenge Canadian border security, simply being made aware that Canadian border guards are armed should make them think twice. Our Customs officers have been given the proper tools and training to do their job of protecting Canada. Now it is to hope they never have to fire a shot. Abbotsford News B.CW3B$i$Ri$KL.

if- Mm ms smm Son Tsawwasssira of that, along with more than a century of Indian Affairs assistance. And it's funny, but I don't recall anyone complaining about the inclusion of off-reserve VICTORIA Even a 70 per cent approval by Tsawwassen First Nation voters didn't slow down the critics of B.C.'s treaty process. "Fourteen years and voters in the Lheidli T'enneh referendum in March, which rejected a similar treaty settlement for reasons that are still a mystery. In a lengthy letter to federal and provin a billion dollars later, the B.C. Treaty Commission has limped past its first treaty ratification vote," said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the treaty holdout Union of B.C.

Indian Chiefs, in a statement sent out within minutes of the result last week. CO towards their own treaty. Huu-ay-aht say yes It's only the first of five votes, but the largest community covered by the Maa-nulth treaty voted 90 per cent approval of their treaty settlement on the weekend. The other four votes are scheduled for October. The agreement includes $73.1 million capital transfer, $1.2 million a year in resource royalty payments for 25 years, and expansion of reserves to fee-simple ownership of nearly 25,000 hectares in the spectacular Tofino-Ucluelet region.

Grand Chief Phillip toned down his criticism when that result was announced, considering his earlier argument about the B.C. treaty process being suitable only for urban communities had just been loudly contradicted. "What is worrisome is government will attempt to enforce the minimalist nature of these agreements as a basic template of treaty-making," he said. Minimalist? These are generous settlements, as results are starting to show. Tom Fletcher is legislative reporter and columnist for Black Press newspapers.

tfletcherblackpress.ca Cordon Campbell's transformation since he led opposition to the Nisga'a deal. Lately though, it's the NDP's conversion to a wet dishrag on the issue that has been in the news. NDP leader Carole James called a news conference last week to announce that the party supports the Tsawwassen treaty, despite its removal of land from the party's cherished agricultural reserve. Media attention focused on her premature endorsement of the Maa-nulth treaty on Vancouver Island, which began a series of votes this past weekend. Oops, she said, I should have waited until after they voted to announce our support.

This diplomatic tap dance wasn't such a hot idea even before James tripped over her own feet. The NDP could have been taking credit for its significant role in getting this far on B.C.'s biggest political issue, but instead the party comes across as indecisive at best. At worst, they look as if they were waiting for another failure to blame on the government. Now there will be a basis for comparison. There will be those B.C.

aboriginal communities that choose to continue with endless court actions and protests as "wards of the federal government," as Mike Harcourt refers to Indian Act status. And there will be those who take a cash and land settlement, retain access to their traditional territories, and move on. Then all will be able to see who made the better choice. New voices heard Treaty critics tend to be the most vocal, but one who spoke up in favour of the B.C. effort is Bill Cranmer, chief of the 'Namgis people on northern Vancouver Island.

While Phillip dismissed the Tsawwassen deal as the product of a small, surrounded urban community with few land options, Cranmer said the new treaty offers hope for communities like his, where the traditional territory is mainly undeveloped Crown land. "In spite of the differences the Tsawwassen have demonstrated it is possible for a First Nation in B.C. to negotiate a treaty that provides tools for prosperity, for a stable community and a strong culture," Cranmer said. "Historically, this treaty is about 150 years late, but in the end every member of the Tsawwassen Nation can hold their head high and be proud of the legacy they just negotiated for future generations." The 'Namgis are among more than 50 B.C. aboriginal groups working Maverick Conservative MP John Cummins said in a weekend radio interview that the Tsawwassen vote was swung by the inclusion of off-reserve members who have no more stake in the fate of the small community next to the ferry terminal.

They voted yes to get a $15,000 up-front payment, leaving the community with an expanded container port in their back yard, and up to 17 railroad tracks in their front. "What it means to beaTsawwassen Indian is going to be lost," he said. Memo to John Cummins: If you're speaking historically, that was lost long before the Deltaport expansion plan and this treaty were created. The cial officials, Phillip reiterated his demand that the treaty commission start from scratch. No more conversion of reserves to fee-simple ownership of land.

Turn over mineral rights awarded to others, not just on Crown lands, as the Supreme Court of Canada has indicated. Well, the court has also indicated that these things should be negotiated. Phillip's demands, however well grounded legally, will be achieved about the time the rest of us decide to move back to Europe. Other critics pointed out that the B.C. government paid for a delegation from Tsawwassen to visit New Aiyansh and see the Nisga'a Lisims government's achievements in northwestern B.C.

since their treaty was enacted in 2001. non-native settlement, the industrial farming and (ahem) fishing, the coal port and the ferry terminal took care Much has been made of Premier www.theprogress.com Published at 15860 Spadina Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 6H Main Plume: 604-702-5550 Classifieds: 604-702-5555 Circulation: 604-702-5558 Editorial Fax: 604-792-44)6 Advertising Fax: 604-792-4956 Advertising e-mail: adsiallieprngress.com 2007 WINNER CCNA BETTER NEWSPAPERS COMPETITION The Chilliwack Progress Robert FREEMAN, 604-702-5571, rfreemantheprogress.com Jennifer FEINBERti, 604-702 5575, jleinbergtbeprogress.com Katie ROBINSON, 6 0 4-702 5575, krobinsontheprogress.com Jessica MIRDV, 604-702-5574, iniurdytncprogress.cum Eric J. WELSH. 604 702-5572.

sportstheprogress.com Jenna photojournalism 604-702-5576, photo(a theprogress.com B.C.'s BKST (I CtlMUl MTV Andre FRANKLIN, Publisher, 604-702-5560 publisherthcprogress.com Greg KNI11, Editor, 604-702-5570 editortlirprog rcss.com Since 1891 Black Press Sharon HARMSEN. Classified Manager. 604 702-5552 Bcinnie KRl'LICKI, Production Foreman. 604-702-5569.