Carney and Poilievre both vow to protect sovereignty … but whose?
As the top candidates for Canada’s next prime minister promise swift, major expansions of mining and energy projects, Indigenous Rights just can’t be set aside
The fast-approaching federal election will decide who will lead the fight to protect Canada’s sovereignty, but neither top candidate for prime minister has explained exactly how they’ll ensure Indigenous Rights are upheld.
Photo: Taylor Roades / The Narwhal
Who will protect Canada’s sovereignty?Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre promising swift, major expansions of mining and energy projects … but Indigenous Rights just can’t be set aside.
Before getting into this week’s coverage, I’ve got some incredible news to share. This April, we needed 400 new Narwhals to join our pod to stay on budget, and we need just two more readers to sign up to meet our goal. That’s right. Two. More. Narwhal readers!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming …
Many Canadians will head to the polls on Monday with a pressing thought in mind: who will best protect Canada’s sovereignty?
It’s the question that derailed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s blazing path to victory, as people wondered if he could really stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump — and many saw a viable alternative in new Liberal Leader Mark Carney. Since then, the two have been fiercely campaigning to show Canadians how different they are from one another.
Their focus has been on our country’s sovereignty and its economy, both of which are threatened by our disintegrating relationship with the United States, and both of which top the list of voters’ concerns.
Conservation and Indigenous Rights were top of mind for voters in 2019 and 2021 elections — now, they’ve been pushed to the side.
This time around, fewer than four per cent of Canadians ranked the environment as their most important election issue. Carney and Poilievre are both promising to scale up economic development and tap critical minerals and other national resources — but neither has explained exactly how they’ll ensure Indigenous Rights are upheld.
That’s why I wanted to take stock in what either of their victories would mean for Indigenous Rights and conservation targets — which you can read in the story I published today.
“We know from extensive past history that if Indigenous Rights are kind of run roughshod over, or if environmental concerns are not addressed in assessment of projects, we end up with disasters like Mount Polley. We end up with things being tied up in the courts. We end up with land defense actions,” Jessica Clogg, executive director and senior council at West Coast Environmental Law, told me.
Trudeau’s Liberal government invested over $1.2 billion in Indigenous-led conservation — efforts they acknowledged are crucial to meeting Canada’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030. When it comes to Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, whether or not the next federal government puts support behind these initiatives could be crucial.
Even if Canadians aren’t thinking much about it right now, the environment matters — and Indigenous nations who are protecting their territories need federal and provincial support, even as many are already doing the work of safeguarding their lands and waters without it.
As Clogg told me, “I really feel that at a time when Canada is under attack, it’s never been more important to uphold these values — to protect our land and water, to uphold constitutional rights and Indigenous human rights — because it’s these values that make us who we are.”
Go here to read more about the future of Indigenous Rights and conservation. And make sure you check out our handy voters’ guide before you cast your ballot!
Our pod is growing, and we’re looking for an assistant editor who is keen to jump in and help get things done. If you identify as a word nerd who loves copy-editing and story layout and is excited to make our journalism shine, we want to work with you. Know someone who might be a perfect fit? Tell them to apply! Deadline to apply is May 16.
And, in case you missed it, we’re also hiring an Indigenous editorial fellow to join us for three months this summer. It’s a unique opportunity to dig into the fundamentals of fact-checking and editing while working on impactful stories from Indigenous communities. There’s still time to apply — applications close tomorrow, Friday, April 25.
Forward this newsletter to somebody you think should apply!
On April 17, the eve of the Easter long weekend, the Doug Ford government released Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. It proposes to speed up natural resource development, shift energy regulation and designate areas in the province as special economic zones where cabinet could decide other laws no longer apply.
Among those laws would be the new Species Conservation Act, a watered-down replacement for the 18-year-old Endangered Species Act. Freelancer and scientist Kathryn Peiman breaks down the once gold-standard at-risk species legislation — and how the Doug Ford government is replacing it altogether, carving a path for mining projects and Highway 413. Check it out here.
— Elaine Anselmi, Ontario bureau chief
This week in The Narwhal
Arctic sovereignty? Inuit would like a word By Dustin Patar
On the election trail, Canada’s federal leaders are pushing military and industry in the North. Sara Olsvig, head of the cross-border Inuit Circumpolar Council, weighs in.
BC Greens call for regulator reform over secret exemption given to oil company By Matt Simmons & Zak Vescera READ MORE
Canadian voters ranked climate change as a top issue — even during a pandemic. Has the U.S. trade war changed that? By Julia-Simone Rutgers READ MORE
Opinion: Michigan and neighbouring states should stand up for Canada — and the Great Lakes By Liz Kirkwood READ MORE
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says yes to camping By Denise Balkissoon READ MORE
After you’ve reminded your friends and family to go vote, maybe remind them to subscribe to The Narwhal’s newsletter? We'll be holding Canada’s next government to account on their promises for the natural world — no matter who wins.
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The fast-approaching federal election will decide who will lead the fight to protect Canada’s sovereignty, but neither top candidate for prime minister has explained exactly how they’ll ensure Indigenous Rights are upheld.
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