Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Chilcotin Ranchers’ Concerns Ignored by Federal Government -- Negotiations About Future Continue in Secret



Chilcotin, BC - Uncertainty surrounding secret land claims negotiations between the Federal and Provincial Governments, and First Nations, is causing anxiety and deep concern for local ranchers in the Chilcotin region. Neighbourly relations are being strained by the federal government’s refusal to engage with the broader group of area residents. 

 

Appeals to the federal and provincial governments by area ranchers and other residents to be welcomed to the land ownership negotiations table are stubbornly and continuously being ignored by both governments. 

 

“We have invested lifetimes and generations of hard work, personal financial resources and the agrarian knowledge of centuries in the support of making the Chilcotin a place of progress with infrastructure, steady employment opportunities and amenities for everyone who live and visit here to enjoy”.

 

“We provide the highest quality protein harvested from grass to the people of our province, to our country and beyond”, says long-time rancher and business owner Felix Schellenberg of Rafter 25 Ranch and Pasture to Plate Natural Products. 

 

Chilcotin ranchers Schellenberg, Satre, Miller and Bayliff have written to Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Prime Minister, to cease negotiations during the 2020 pandemic so area stakeholders have the opportunity to join discussions after pandemic restrictions.

 

Jasmin and Felix Schellenberg
owners of Plate to Plate and
the Rafter 25 Ranch

They received no response but were surprised to learn through the media that Minister Bennett has been actively negotiating with other first nations groups -- including the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs -- despite the unprecedented and world crisis. Now, the ranching industry’s ability to continue is threatened by uncertainty. 

 

Residents, businesses and business organizations, all taxpayers, and community organizations in the Chilcotin have been pleading with the government to be invited to the table where their very livelihoods are being decided upon. And yet there has been no response from federal or provincial governments. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper to step down for Conservative Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in a by-election

Deputy Whip and MLA Reann Gasper has informed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia of her decision to step down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, creating an opportunity for Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to seek the seat in a forthcoming by-election. Gasper said the decision was made carefully and deliberately, with the future of British Columbia firmly in mind. Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper “This is a decision I have made after a great deal of careful consideration, and I believe it is the right decision for me, for our Party, and for the work ahead,” said MLA Gasper. “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Abbotsford-Mission, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues in the Conservative Caucus and to contribute to our leadership team.” “I have confidence in Kerry-Lynne, in her leadership, and in her ability to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Sits on $61 Million With No Start Date for Burnaby Hospital

Phase 2 of Burnaby Hospital redevelopment  was green lit to go ahead in September 2023 The NDP spent $45 million on the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, cancelled the second phase, and now has another $61 million listed for the project in the province’s Public Accounts, with no start date for construction. If the NDP cancelled the project, what is happening to the $61 million set aside for it? The Phase 2 project was expected to cost between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion and was intended to expand the hospital’s capacity. With Burnaby’s population growing and residents struggling to access healthcare, the government should be investing in healthcare capacity, not leaving millions of dollars tied up in limbo. “The NDP spent $45 million on this project before cancelling it, and now $61 million remains listed for it in the Public Accounts,” said MLA Misty Van Popta, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure. “If the government isn’t going to build the hospital expansion, it should explain whe...
Post a Comment
Read more

BC Conservatives Point to Warning Signs in BC’s Economy

While Canada posted modest job gains in July, warning lights are still flashing in British Columbia. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving too many first-time jobseekers shut out of the workforce. BC also lost 3,400 public administration jobs in July, likely as temporary Census positions ended. “BC's jobs divide remains stark. Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna (9.3%) and Abbotsford-Mission (8.3%) than in Victoria (5.0%). Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “We need an economy where young people can find work, businesses can hire, and every region has the opportunity to prosper.” This comes as BC faces five straight quarters where more businesses are closing than opening, an NDP cabinet rift over job-creating projects like Tilbury LNG, and fresh signs that even the province's to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more