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North Island-Powell River MP focuses on fisheries and indigenous children

Rachel Blaney seeks ‘meaningful debate’ and hopes to see ‘a more collaborative parliament’
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Contributed photo

North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney is expecting to be busy in the House of Commons as riding representatives continue to meet during the first sitting since the October federal election.

Newly appointed as the federal NDP whip, Blaney will have significant caucus responsibilities, ensuring all members are in the house when they need to be and ready for votes. She will also be responsible for working with other parties to make sure rules are followed and everything is moving forward as smoothly as possible.

“It’s going to be a big role, especially in a minority parliament, but I’m really pleased that leader Jagmeet Singh trusts me to do the work,” said Blaney.

In terms of interacting with other parliamentarians, Blaney said there is a new fisheries minister, Bernadette Jordan, from Nova Scotia, who previously served as minister for rural and economic development. Blaney said she had the opportunity in the last parliament to work with Jordan on a couple of issues in the riding.

“I’m looking forward to working with her in her new ministerial role,” said Blaney. “I will be sending her a copy of the Chinook fishery report we wrote this year.”

Blaney said she never heard back from the former fisheries minister, even though a response was requested.

“I’m hoping she will read this in a thoughtful manner and hear the voices of more than 200 people we consulted across the riding,” said Blaney. “I will continue to invite her to the area to have further discussion.”

Blaney said what is being requested is a comprehensive strategy to address the well-being of the sea life in the oceans. She said there are multiple challenges and wants to see a plan that makes sense.

Blaney also wants to discuss the future of the salmon aquaculture industry with Jordan.

“There was some announcement about moving to closed containment so I’m interested in hearing more details about when that will be happening and what resources will be put in place to support the transition in our region,” said Blaney. “I would like to see closed containment but I would also like to make sure we are keeping those jobs in the communities that have relied on them.

“We have a lot of challenges with a changing economy and that’s important to me.”

Blaney is also interested in what the minister has to say about protecting wild Pacific salmon and more broadly, sea life in the area, because there are so many challenges.

Blaney said she is disappointed the federal government is returning to court to fight against indigenous children in care. First Nations Child and Family Caring Society has been fighting for more than 13 years, she added.

Blaney said a human rights tribunal decision came out several years ago in which the government has had eight non-compliance orders submitted against it. It is unfortunate that instead of abiding by the tribunal decision, the government is fighting indigenous children and their families in court, according to Blaney.

“It’s disappointing; it’s supposed to be a time of reconciliation,” she said. “To see this kind of behaviour continue is absolutely devastating. It’s sending a message a lot of indigenous communities are hearing loud and clear that their children are not valued by this government; that is absolutely shameful.

“I will be working with the new minister to make clear this is not the right way to move and we need to honour the human rights tribunal decision and get to protecting children, which should be a priority for every government.”

The federal government is asking that a ruling from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal that could potentially see thousands of indigenous children who were made wards of the state receive $40,000 in compensation for irreparable harm, be set aside.

Blaney said she is hoping to see a more collaborative parliament moving forward.

“When you have a minority situation, I would hope the party leading us, the Liberal party in this case, understands that without the support of at least one of its opposition parties, it is not going to get the action done that it needs to,” she added. “I’m hoping to see a lot more thoughtfulness and meaningful debate.

“I have a lot of concerns about some of the issues the Liberals and Conservatives seem to hold. When I think about how many people have come forward to talk about the climate emergency and wanting to see us moving forward in a more rapid way, I’m concerned that as we are trying to move in that direction, the Liberals and Conservatives may work together to get us not where we need to get.”

Blaney said the government needs to be held to account and she thinks all Canadians will be watching.

“I hope what we see is more collaboration and I’m ready to fight when I need to fight,” she added.

Blaney said she is looking forward to having discussions about how Canada moves toward a greener economy, a more sustainable future and how to include people who are concerned.

The current House of Commons sitting ends on Friday, December 13. Members will return on Monday, January 27, 2020.