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Provincial government says Bill 22 would increase capacity for First Nations' participation in land use negotiations.

from Vue Weekly

"Two of Alberta's largest treaty groups were taken by surprise when a new consultation act was introduced into the legislature this past session and became law on May 27.

"'We were dismayed at the introduction,' says Victor Horseman, the grand chief liaison with Treaty 8 of Bill 22: The Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act. 'This doesn't show good faith.'

"The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations called the introduction of the bill a 'shock,' and both Treaty 8 and Treaty 6 representatives called for its removal in order for it to go through a proper consultation process. But after five days of debate, it passed third reading on May 15 and received royal assent 12 days after that.

"According to Minister of Aboriginal Relations Robin Campbell, the bill was introduced with the intention to increase capacity for aboriginal groups to participate in the negotiation of land use when industrial projects are proposed. …"

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Reporters Without Borders ranks Canada 20th, down from 10th last year.

from Vue Weekly

"According to a new report, the Conservative government has not created the 'most transparent government in Canadian history.' Treasury Board president Tony Clement's words, spoken in response to criticisms of the access to information system, ring hollow when looking at the most recent world press freedom rankings released by Reporters Without Borders. Canada fell 10 spots to barely hang on to 20th place. The cause: greater obstruction of journalists in the field and a growing threat to the confidentiality of journalists' sources.

"Unfortunately for Canada, the report states this year's rankings are a better indicator of "governments' attitudes and intentions towards the press" as there are fewer cases of political protest and instability worldwide, which contributed to a major crackdown on journalists in 2011.

"The index measures the overall freedom of information allowed in the interaction between media and the government and takes into account visible problems such as violence against journalists, but also looks at less overt problems such as legislation impeding government information from getting to citizens — something the Supreme Court has designated a derivative right important to free expression and the functioning of democracy. …"

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