What is definition of consultation?

Dear editor: A dictionary ensures a common understanding of words which avoids confusion.

The Oxford Dictionary defines “consult” as having deliberations or seeking advice or information. The definition doesn’t include gaining approval or consent or exercising a veto.

The Supreme Court quashed the TransMountain pipeline claiming that the government failed to adequately consult with the indigenous community, and that it didn’t consider the impact of tanker traffic on the killer whales.

It’s hard to get the views of the orcas. It depends where they live and which pod you talk to. Some like salmon; some prefer seals. It’s like the Indigenous sector; some First Nations like pipelines; others don’t.

The expanded Kinder Morgan pipeline will increase tanker traffic to the Port of Vancouver from five to 34 per month. What do the orcas think about that? Is a tanker is any more menacing to them than a container ship, a cruise ship, or even a well-intentioned whale-watching vessel? They probably don’t like ships of any kind.

The Liberals are spending $170 million to protect the whales and they’ll probably still vote Libertarian. But orcas matter. A tearful apology from Justin Trudeau for decades of maritime commerce and fisheries might make things better for them. It would be a bonus if their supporters in Vancouver and Victoria would stop dumping raw sewage into their home.

How much consultation with First Nations is enough? Some like the idea of pipelines and the economic benefits that come with them. They can mean a big step towards prosperity and self-reliance and reducing dependency on government. Those opposed often seem a howling mob that either wants to maintain the status quo or roll back history, for better or for worse.

The Government, the Supreme Court, First Nations and the orcas need to settle on the dictionary definition of consultation. The Liberals have engaged in a lot of promises, apologies and expensive pageantry with the First Nations. This has created considerable confusion and has led to unfounded expectations, including a belief that First Nations might be able to exercise consent or a veto under the label of consultations.

First Nations aren’t sovereign co-equals with the Government of Canada. Like any other group of Canadians they are subordinate to the will of the majority as exercised by the elected government. An excess of white, liberal guilt has clouded our thinking on this, and it isn’t helping anyone.

John Thompson

Kaleden