Different laws create dissension

Northern B.C. has just experienced another case of protesters suggesting that a natural gas pipeline will adversely affect Indigenous people’s ability to enjoy a large wilderness area. The minimal footprint of a gas pipeline has no negative effect on hunting, trapping, fishing, berry-picking or water quality. To suggest otherwise ignores 75 years of successful gas transmission experience throughout Canada.

The result of the Smithers fiasco is more negative opinion about the protesters and the legal industry that feeds on the Indigenous community and has exposed racist attitudes across the country. There is a solution, but it will take strong leadership from Ottawa to execute.

It’s impractical to expect Canadians to support a governing regime comprised of several hundred sets of Indigenous statutes and regulations in addition to federal and provincial laws. I propose one set of laws that apply to all Canadians, period. It will take a strong mandate and great foresight to undertake the required constitutional change, but it is necessary for our future. R. Cheadle, Calgary