Canada votes “No” to UN native rights declaration

This week, the international community has adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This occurs despite high-profile opposition from Canada, New Zealand, United States, and Australia. Eleven other countries abstained. The declaration was non-binding and sets out global human rights standards for indigenous people.

Before the vote, Canada’s UN ambassador, John McNee, said Canada had “significant concerns” over the declaration’s wording on provisions addressing lands and resources, as well as another article calling on states to obtain prior informed consent with indigenous groups before enacting new laws or administrative measures. Article 26 of the UN declaration states: “Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.”

McNee said the provision is “overly broad, unclear and capable of a wide variety of interpretations” that could lead to the reopening of previously settled land claims and existing treaties.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had earlier expressed his concerns about the language the declaration contained. “We shouldn’t vote for things on the basis of political correctness; we should actually vote on the basis of what’s in the document,” Harper said.

I agree with the decision to vote no, and I applaud the Prime Minister for saying what everyone else is thinking. There are important issues that need to be addressed here and now - issues like health care, the environment, and education. I’m tired of arguing over what happened four-hundred years ago. Issues need to be addressed today in today’s context.

This is the 21st century, and I believe that the elected governments we have today are capable of making proper decisions that are fair for everyone - not just one group of people.