Monsef fields questions from local seniors
Concerns raised about First Nations funding, cap-and-trade system
Local seniors had questions for Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef about funding for First Nations during a meeting at Activity Haven Seniors Centre Friday.
The group wasn’t too concerned with Indigenous communities receiving funding but questioned whether there’d be public record of where the money went.
Seven area First Nations – including Curve Lake, Alderville and Hiawatha – recently voted to accept a proposed $1.1 billion settlement from the federal and provincial governments over a longstanding treaty dispute.
“Why do we not audit the reserves and see how they spend it?” asked
Alice Heffernan.
Heffernan was one of a dozen members of a seniors’ current affairs to meet with Monsef to discuss issues such as transportation, offshore drilling, pensions, Canada Post, and cap and trade.
Transparency was the main concern involving Indigenous funding among the group.
“What assurances do we have to make sure it’s spent appropriately?” asked Ken Munks, pointing out that it’s taxpayers’ dollars.
The MP said the government has stringent requirements on how the money must be spent and it will all be recorded as well.
“But we also have to make sure we’re fair,” Monsef said.
She suggested the group invite Phyl-
lis Williams, Curve Lake First Nation chief, to the table to hear what Curve Lake has planned for any upcoming funding.
There were also queries about cap and trade and its role in helping the environment.
Experts say the best way to address climate change is to put a price on pollution, Monsef said.
She explained that cap and trade means companies can only produce so much greenhouse gas before they have to pay a price or trade with other companies that aren’t maxing out their quota.
Jacques Arbic couldn’t wrap his head around the concept. If you want to pollute, you just have to pay, he said.
“That blows my mind because the guy is still going to pollute,” Arbic said.
Money talks though, Monsef said, and most business owners will likely think twice about greenhouse gases when it’s going to cost them.
Offshore drilling near Newfoundland was a concern for Lloyd Gaskin.
He doesn’t think Canada should be drilling for oil in the ocean because of the environmental risks.
“I don’t think this is the way we should be going,” Gaskin said.
Monsef assured the group that Canada has a world class oceans protection plan in place.
She also pointed out that there’s still a demand for oil and Canada is in the best shape to meet the need.
“If they don’t get it from us, they’ll get it from someone who doesn’t have the clean technology we do,” Monsef said.
When it comes to transportation, Monsef said she’s all too familiar with the city’s transit system.
Living near Fleming College while Monsef attended Trent University and worked two parttime jobs, she relied heavily on public transportation.
“Our public transit system is a gem,” she said, adding that it could still be better, of course.
That’s why the federal government is giving Peter borough K aw art ha $30 million over 10 years to improve transportation.
The MP, who is status of women minister, plans to take her notes from Friday’s conversation to contribute toward the government’s National Seniors’ Strategy.