BUSINESS, INDIGENOUS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS call for a return to order, the free movement of goods and people, and a commitment to certainty and future prosperity
Vancouver,
March 5, 2020: A growing chorus of business, Indigenous and community leaders
are calling for a commitment to certainty and future prosperity following weeks
of economic disruption.
Rail
blockades and challenges with respect to numerous significant infrastructure
projects representing billions of dollars of investment are symptoms of very
serious problems requiring urgent action.
Chief
Joe Alphonse Tsilhqot’in National
Government
Tribal Chair, and one of those signing the statement |
Blockades
have caused havoc and uncertainty in people’s lives, relationships and supply
chains and have negatively affected a quarter of Canada’s small business
owners.
More
broadly, uncertainty about the timeliness of decision making around major
projects and whether decisions, once made, count for anything has become a
serious problem. Billions of dollars that could have supported well-paying
jobs, reconciliation for all Canadians, and the means to improve Indigenous and
non-Indigenous health care, education and other important social goals have
been sacrificed.
Compromise
and common purpose are key to the functioning of democracy. We must continue to
build an inclusive economy and society for all Canadians—and cannot allow a
handful of uncompromising minority voices to undermine this collective
progress.
Indigenous
and non-Indigenous leaders have had considerable success working toward
economic reconciliation. Events of the past few weeks clearly demonstrates that
more needs to be done.
Greg
D’Avignon, President and CEO,
Business Council of British Columbia |
Now is
the time for all Canadians to stand together to build a modern, competitive,
sustainable country –one which continues economic reconciliation with
Indigenous people; one which balances economic growth with environmental
protection by providing a practical, realistic and achievable regulatory
framework; and, one which promotes an inclusive and prosperous society based on
respect for all Canadians.
This
must begin with strong leadership by federal and provincial authorities to
restore order without further delay. It continues with a strong focus on the
foundations required of a modern economy, including ensuring clear pathways for
projects to get to timely decisions that can be respected.
We
encourage those interested who support this message to share it, and endorse it
on the Confidence In Canada website: www.confidenceincanada.com
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