RUSTAD -- I hope the rule of Canadian law will be respected and that Coastal GasLink can get back to building this nation building project, and all of the benefits that come with it
I was asked to do a CBC interview this past Sunday. I decided to put the whole truth out there regarding the Unistoten blockade in my riding. I have to say that I was disappointed that the CBC did not cover everything I said. So, here is an augmented version: When I was Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, I worked tirelessly with the Wet’suwet’en people to try and find a resolution. We drafted a protocol and proposed funding to undertake a nation building exercise to help bridge the differences between the elected and hereditary systems. We offered to engage in land discussions, resource sharing and other agreements. We worked with them on support for services for children. There were a lot of things put on the table. Unfortunately, the hereditary chiefs turned down almost all agreements even though we offered these paths with no strings attached. During one meeting I overheard the hereditary chiefs speaking. They wanted to go back t...