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Keith Beardsley

Partner, True North Public Affairs (Ottawa)

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Theresa Spence: Stop the Hunger Strike and Hold Harper to Account

Posted: 01/16/2013 5:59 pm

Today's "National Day of Action" is more than a symbolic gesture, it's an important step by the grassroots movement, Idle No More, to encourage respect and bring about long overdue improvements to First Nations communities.

Canadians and government officials (both political and departmental) have been watching closely and analyzing what they see. The government will be tracking the media, Facebook, Twitter, emails from the public to officials and politicians and any other sources that they feel are relevant to getting a handle on not only what the movement is about, but its potential and its sustainability as well.

In the beginning, one of the movement's greatest strengths was its unity of purpose. Specifically, change and positive change, not at some distant time in the future, but right now.

At that time Chief Spence was an asset to the movement, a symbol that many in the movement could turn to and hold up as an example. But as with many of our politicians, she has over-played her hand. Her intransigence and shifting positions risked over-shadowing the many positives of the movement and she risked becoming a negative influence and a political sideshow to events as they unfolded across the country, and unfold they have.

Chief Spence hasn't helped matters. Rather than being a symbol of unity and a rallying point, she has contributed to the fracturing of what was a relatively united front in opposing the government in an effort to bring about substantive change.

Spence had won a concession from the government and brought about the talks last week between Harper and the Assembly of First Nations. That was the time for the First Nations leadership to negotiate from a position of strength. That was the time to display a united front with the Harper government. With this government you never want to negotiate from a position of weakness.

As we all know, everything unravelled with the leak of the audit and then Spence refused to attend the meeting that she had helped to bring about. Old internal fault lines reappeared. The chiefs split over whether or not there should be a meeting, with many pushing their own agendas. Whether or not it was due to the chiefs need to demonstrate their loyalty to the movement or whether it was an attempt to protect their own positions will become more evident in the days ahead.

Today's "National Day of Action" gives Spence another opportunity to declare a victory over holding the government to account and another opportunity to call off her "hunger" strike. By not doing so she risks further polarizing and dividing the movement and First Nations leadership.

The government is left with few options. It must still negotiate with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and National Chief Shawn Atleo, as it has to be seen to be engaged and working to make change possible, sooner rather than later. The problem for the government has become:

1) Will any deal reached with Atleo survive the internal fighting between various chiefs, his former political opponents and a movement that speaks with many different voices?

2) Will a deal be seen as simply propping Atleo up and therefore actually weakening his position and leadership in the longer term?

3) If the government deals too soon and Atleo resigns or is pushed out, who will succeed him and what new demands will the government then be faced with?

4) Does the government deal now or sit back and wait until it is clear who they must deal with before they make a substantive offer that will move things forward?

There are lots of questions and few answers. At one point Idle No More was beginning to look a lot like "Divided No more" which was another hashtag seen on Twitter as the Idle No More movement took hold and grew in importance. That is not the case today and it remains to be seen if today's protests can unite the various elements in the movement, the chiefs and the AFN to once again give them common purpose.

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  • A native dancer looks on during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

  • Native dancers rally during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

  • Idle No More Mall Protest

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/630755180/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell">LJ Henshell</a>:<br />A First Nations Drummer plays during a protest at Intercity Shopping Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario

  • It's about the future

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/630755180/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell">LJ Henshell</a>:<br />A child protests in Thunder Bay, Ontario

  • United we stand

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Doug_Cleverley"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/805699678/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Doug_Cleverley">Doug Cleverley</a>:<br />At the #IdleNoMore rally in Owen Sound (Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory), during a spontaneous round dance at the main downtown intersection.

  • Killer Whale Dance

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Idle No More actions, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Idle No More #J11

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Idle No More #J11 March

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Tla'Amin Prayer Song #J11 Idle No More

    Tla'Amin Prayer song on #J11 2013 Idle No More, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River BC

  • Tla'Amin Killer Whale Dance, #J11 #IdleNoMore

    Tla'Amin Killer Whale Dance, #J11 #IdleNoMore, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • C45 affects all Canadians! Join the fight.

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Eleanor_Kure"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/840875359/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Eleanor_Kure">Eleanor Kure</a>:<br />At the Idle No More protest in Halifax Nova Scotia. with an eco-justice article in pocket, spreading the word that Bill C45 affects every Canadian, not only First Nations. Thank you FN, for beginning this movement.

  • Piyesiw Awasis

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mizzren"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/3183681.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mizzren">mizzren</a>:<br />Thunderchild First Nation @ Lloydminster Flash Mob. January 16, 2013

  • <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/16/idle-no-more-queen-elizabeth-2-highway-blockade-alberta_n_2490009.html">Idle No More supporters jump onto a truck</a> as they are pushed by a driver trying to pass, as the protesters block Highway 2 as part of a planned national day of action, in Edmonton, Alberta on Wedneday January 16, 2013.

  • Aboriginal protesters march down Huron Church Road towards the Ambassador bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours.

  • Aboriginal protestors pray at the end of their blockade of a CN railroad track just west of Portage La Prairie, Man., on Wednesday, January 16, 2016. They ended their protest without incident.

  • Aboriginal protesters demonstrate at the base of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours.

  • Idle No More demonstrators block a CN east-west track just west of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba Wednesday, January 16, 2016.

  • Mississaugas of the New Credit support INM

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Vicki_King_Jamieson"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/750500023/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Vicki_King_Jamieson">Vicki King Jamieson</a>:<br />New Credit Youth supporting INM

  • Montreal Idle No More

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Caillum"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Caillum">Caillum</a>:<br />Thousands of people, both Native and Canadian, show their support at an Idle No More protest in Montreal on January 11th, 2013.

  • #Denendeh #J11 #IdleNoMore #YZF #NWT Yellowknife "Northwest Territories"

    Video of the Global Day of Action rally in downtown Somba K’e (Yellowknife)on the Akaitcho territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Denendeh (Northwest Territories).

  • #IdleNoMore March and Round Dance in Yellowknife Denendeh NWT

    "Today (Friday, December 21, 2012) in Denendeh and across the globe, we made an impact, a statement for true justice to be brought forward and acknowledged. But it will not stop, for the 8th fire has been lit and will only grow. Mahsi for all who showed up and united, we felt the support....we felt the fire!! And there's more to come in the new year." On Facebook By Lawrence Nayally, Melaw Nakehk'o and Eugene Boulanger https://www.facebook.com/events/112403725595655/

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, wearing a headdress, takes part in a drum ceremony before departing a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013.

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, centre, departs a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013.

  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013.

  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013.

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence makes a brief statement on Victoria Island near Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa. Spence is speaking out for the first time about how her reserve spends government money, saying most of what flows to her isolated James Bay reserve actually gets spent outside the community.

  • Aboriginal Chiefs stand at the main gate to Parliament Hill during a protest Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa.

  • Idle No More protesters listen to speakers during a rally on Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa.

  • Gordie Odjig of Wikwemikong stands at the west gate to the Langevin Block during the aboriginal meeting in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Idle No More at UBC Vancouver

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100001602753648/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray">Randall Gray</a>:<br />

  • Idle No More at UBC Vancouver

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100001602753648/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray">Randall Gray</a>:<br />

  • Los Angeles Rally In Solidarity with First nations

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Melinda Gopher"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/contributors/melinda-gopher/headshot.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Melinda Gopher">HuffPost Blogger Melinda Gopher</a>:<br />Brock Conway, Blackfeet activist, with Saulteaux Actor Adam Beach and companion. Photo: Morning Star Gopher

  • Native protesters march up Wellington Street in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Four-year-old Phoenix Sky Cottrelle,from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, holds a sign as aboriginal protestors gather on Victoria Island before they march to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Aboriginal protestors hold signs as they march from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Gordie Odjig, an aboriginal protestor from Wikwemikong, shouts as he marches from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Woman's Voices

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Idle No More event Dec 30th,2012. Tla'Amin Nation Coast Salish Territories Powell River, British Columbia.

  • Idle No More Edmonton

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/AUPELOCAL6CHAIR"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4411530.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/AUPELOCAL6CHAIR">AUPELOCAL6CHAIR</a>:<br />Planned overnight and what a turn out!

  • IdleNoMore March, Dauphin, Mb

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Phyllis_Racette"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1354341984/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Phyllis_Racette">Phyllis Racette</a>:<br />#IdleNoMOre Dauphin, Mb

  • Chicago Idle No More @ the Canadian Consulate

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jolene_Aleck"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/644015258/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jolene_Aleck">Jolene Aleck</a>:<br />Chicago's Idle No More 1.5.2012 rally @ the Canadian Consulate

  • VancouverC Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • A man waves a flags as aboriginal protesters and supporters in the Idle No More movement block the Blue Water Bridge border crossing to the United States in Sarnia, Ont. on Saturday, January 5, 2013.

  • VancouverA Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverB Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverD Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverH Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC, January 2, 2013.

  • VancouverF Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverE Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverG Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • Flag Planting

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/seawaytoday"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/seawaytoday">seawaytoday</a>:<br />Akwesasne Idle No More att Cornwall, ON

  • Dec 21st 2012 Idle No More Ottawa: Berdine

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gail_Chicky_Gallagher"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/535670179/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gail_Chicky_Gallagher">Gail Chicky Gallagher</a>:<br />


 

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Today's "National Day of Action" is more than a symbolic gesture, it's an important step by the grassroots movement, Idle No More, to encourage respect and bring about long overdue improvements to Fir...
Today's "National Day of Action" is more than a symbolic gesture, it's an important step by the grassroots movement, Idle No More, to encourage respect and bring about long overdue improvements to Fir...
 
 
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Moonrabbit42
0 Fans
12:50 PM on 01/18/2013
What is this obsession with united movements? When so many people have different ideas of the kinds of change they want, then that just goes to show how our "Democracy" is failing them. Particularly in a world where a majority government can be formed with less than 50% of the vote.
On this particular subject, in the end, the natives want to be able to govern themselves, which means many groups with many different ideas, so yeah, they're probably not going to see eye to eye with each other on a lot of issues.

Large, centralized government is a farce.That shouldn't be news to anybody who's been paying attention.
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Sandra Currie
30 Fans
11:31 AM on 01/17/2013
"Unrepentant - Canada's Genocide" is available for free on YouTube.
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Sandra Currie
30 Fans
11:31 AM on 01/17/2013
All your righeously indignant Canadians need to see an award winning doumentary "Unrepentant - Canada's Genocide". Then you will understand why the chiefs don't represent First Nations, and why a grass roots movement is necessary to change the deplorable situation of First Nations, especially the women and children.
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NorthernObservations
152 Fans
08:10 PM on 01/19/2013
The native population is one of the if not the fastest growing population in Canada, it would appear are quite lousy at "genocide". And doubt anyone regrets that.
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whatliesbeneath
19 Fans
11:10 AM on 01/17/2013
Leave it up to Harper - he will sort out the Chiefs from the Indians. If they wanted something - they have played right into the hands of the federal government and the money they paid all those consultants has gone to waste - once again. They were advised to use the "environmental card" - and hey that does work with many Canadians - but just wait and see what comes from this and you will find out that it is much more than meets the eye. For instance - I found it opportune the the accounting records surfaced the day "before" the meeting with Harper. Harper, being relatively quiet for the most part, holds the cards - make no mistake - and Canadians will over time see the whole picture - not just the one being presented here. Atleo has a terrible job - since he must walk the line - he also knows "whatliesbeneath" but does not want to alienate them - or there will never be a solution.

As for the environmental issues - it is Harper's goal to hand over more accountability to the individual provinces - is that a bad thing? Well, not in BC it isn't - it takes 20 years for the first step in a ski hill approval here - so why is it determined that he is against the environment? - Media hype and over the top environmentalism without justification - that's why.
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EastCH
26 Fans
09:38 AM on 01/17/2013
"to encourage respect and bring about long overdue improvements to First Nations communities."

Respect is something that has to be Earned. Illeegally blocking roads, railways, and inconveniencing people does not generate respect, but rather contempt.

As for improvements to first nations communities, adding accountability to the way federal monies are spent would seem to be the first step, followed closely by breaking the cycle of gov't dependancy by getting jobs and not blackmailing development projects under the false guise of environmental consultations.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Colin Speth
A Claymore for your thoughts
56 Fans
08:23 AM on 01/17/2013
Yeah whatever. When 80% of the population ain't buying it why should the PM ?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/public-opinion-stands-against-chief-theresa-spence-idle-181852988.html
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A Westerner
1 Fans
07:43 AM on 01/17/2013
Spence kew about the findings of the audit back in September. Her hunger strike is nothing but a way to deflect attention from what could amount to criminal charges. She runs the reserve like a 3rd world dictatorship with no interest in helping the common indian rather rewarding herself and friends with large salaries. Not much has been heard about her phoning back to the reserve to have the Global reporter removed from the community so they couldn't talk to the local people on the reserve. Even 3rd world dictators could take lessons from her!
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ELBROZO
66 Fans
06:01 AM on 01/17/2013
You're absolutely right. There is a conspiracy happening.
Harper is also dragging this out in hopes that violence will become part of these protests so he can legally oppose them. Right now,he has no choice but to listen and come to terms with th Idle no More group. Tjousands of people gathering all across Canada so now,all The Harper has to do is call on his "BLACK BLOC" once again.
I would not put this past him.
Why can't we just boot out Harper? We hired him,we should be allowed to fire him. He is a disgrace to our country,not even canadian at heart and wrks 24--12 at destroying and selling out our country.
CANADA DESERVES BETTER,!!!!????
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A Westerner
1 Fans
07:37 AM on 01/17/2013
Time for Spence to quit deflecting and face real charges of theft and misappropriation of funds.
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jocanadian
0 Fans
04:20 AM on 01/17/2013
Did anyone consider that Harper is fueling the fire of these issues on purpose? Funny how there has been a lack of media coverage on the Northern Gateway pipeline even though the hearings are going on right now. Conspiracy no?
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whatliesbeneath
19 Fans
11:20 AM on 01/17/2013
No conspiracy - just common practice. Harper's goal is to hand over more environmental control to the individual provinces - you know, the ones who live and work in the provinces. His goal is not to shove things through - but to have the major decision making occur within the individual province - guess you didn't hear that part.
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