AG - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 22, 1998 Politicians disagree on Nisga’a treaty SKEENA'S TWO elected repre- sentalives are vowing to fight on different sides of the battle to ratify the Nisga’a treaty. ~ Provincial NDP MLA Helmut Giesbrecht and federal Reform MP Mike Scott will vote on the Nisga’a deal before it is finalized. But how they’ll vote looks like it will be very different. Giesbrechi believes the majority of people in the Skeena con- stituency support the treaty, In fact, he describes last Wednes- day’s announcement -giving the Nisga'a £,930 square kilometres of land as ‘‘the light at the end of this tunnel.” He said that unless the deal is sig- North’s knight ~ named’ PR. GEORGE — John Backhouse’s appointment as northern development com- missioner comes with praise from some, criticism from others and as a surprise to no one, Widespread — speculation that Backhouse would be- come B.C.’s first northern commissioner was con- firmed a1 a press conference Friday in Prince George. Backhouse, mayor of Prince George for 10 years, will take up the $100,000-a- year post immediately. His first task as commissioner will be to tour northern communities. “I don’t have magical solutions to all of the north’s problems,’ Back- house says. “I do feel that we are being handed the mandate and resources to make effective recom- mendations for change to the minister.’’ The commissioner’s posi- tion was created to consult with northerners and advise government on how to best stinwlate northem economic development and job crea- tion. His office, with a staff of five peopie and a budget of $2.5 million, is opening ala temporary location, ~ Few question Backhouse’s qualifications, But people like Paul Nettleton, Liberal MLA for Prince George- Omineca, wonder if Back- house’s long-term ties to the NDP will hinder his ability lo effectively promote eco- homic development and in- vestnent in the north. Backhouse has been a party member for years and led a movement to defend NDP MLA Paul Ramsey against a recall campaign. “V’ve never brought into question Mr. Backhouse’s qualification,” says Nettleton. ‘My concem is that this is a partisan ap- pointment.” - Backhouse says he won't back down in his new job. ‘The commissioner may say things to the govern- ment that the government does not want to hear. I’ve demonstrated that ability in the past, '” says Backhouse. Northera development ministcr Dan Miller also de- fended the appointment to crifics at the announcement, saying be had personally spoken with a variety of people in several sectors who felt Backhouse was an ~~ excellent choice. The position itself has also come under widespread crit- - icism. Some question why a aorthen» commissioner is: necessary if the MLAs are. doing their jobs, Backhouse will advise’ Miller on issues and associ- aled legislation as well. as policies and practices around job creation. He will prepare reposts and specific recommendations on job crealion and economic -deé- velopment, These reports must be submitted by the: - minister to cabinet. The position was this spring aficr the Premier's Summit last October .-: sevealed northermers were >’ fecling alienated. from government in Victoria, The commissioner is appointed «. for a term of up to five years and will coordinate the. ac- tivities of the sorthem agency. ee nificantly different from the provi- sions of the 1996 agrcement-in- principle, he'll vote yes in an up- coming legislature vote. “Baring any new wrinkle, I’m prepared to go ahead and vote for the deal,’’ Gicsbrecht said from his office in Victoria Friday. Giesbrecht would rather provin- cial and federal governments enter treaty negolialions than have native groups settle land claims in court. In a court case, Giesbrecht said government officials wouldn’t have any input and they would lose their negotiating power, “df we wait any ionger, the courts will simply get impatient,’’ said Giesbrecht referring ta the Del- gamuukw case. Giesbrecht went on to say that a finalized Nisga'a treaty would not only settle economic uncertainties within the community, it would bring a huge $190 million chunk of federal capital to the area. “The federal government is going to have to put in their cash portion of this setilement,’’ Gies- brecht said, Scatt said the deal is substantially flawed and undemocratic. He said inadequate provisions for certainty mean there’s no guarantec that the deal would be ever be final, saying the Nisga’a could re-open negotiations at any time, Scott wants a province-wide referendum, where everybody in B.C. can vote on the treaty. “The Nisga’a people have been promised an opportunity to accept or reject the treaty terms,’’ Scott said. “I demand the same right for all non-Nisga’a constituents and all residents of B.C.” Giesbrecht ' disagrees, He said Scott’s position largely ignores the Nisga’a in his own riding, whether they are a minority or not. “Any democracy that deals only with issues that affect the majority is not doing its community jus- tice,’ Giesbrecht said. OFFICE HOURS: The office will be closed from July 20 - July 31, 1998. Regular office hours: 8:00 - 4:00 PHONE: 635-6531 FAX: 635-5390 Accumulate towards your 5% Savings Award with EVERY, purchase! 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