Speaking Out: Kenney’s reckless plan would harm Indigenous people

by Chief Tony Alexis

(Edmonton, AB) – Climate change has already begun its negative impact on First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada. With the help of Jason Kenney – leader of the Alberta United Conservative Party (UCP) –  the harm would continue with his plan to scrap the Climate Leadership Plan. It seems Kenney values Doug Ford’s position on this plan over the Indigenous people’s who actually live here in Alberta.

Indigenous people have always been protectors of the earth. Our knowledge has been key to preserving our air, water and land. It is reckless and negligent to permanently damage the health and well-being of our future generations by not taking climate change seriously. This is not the issue to divide Canadians on, especially Albertans.

When Kenney talks about cancelling the Climate Leadership Plan, it means cancelled investments of over $85 million used to create jobs in Indigenous communities, lower energy costs and most importantly, reduce pollution in Alberta. We have seen success in countries across the world taking this issue seriously. Sweden’s emissions reduced by 22 per cent between 1990 and 2013, during the same time its economy grew by 58 per cent.  We can do the same here in Alberta, reduce our emissions while growing our economy under the Climate Leadership Plan.

Jason Kenney is willing to put our children and our future in jeopardy when he talks about cancelling the Climate Leadership Plan. It’s extremely unfortunate that he is not willing to think of the long term effects of his harmful take on climate change.

Chief Tony Alexis is the leader of Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation just outside of Edmonton, AB.