Indigenous communities in Manitoba face some of the greatest obstacles. Over the years, when the UN Human Development Index was applied to First Nation communities across Canada, Manitoba First Nations often ranked lowest. So, it’s important to highlight some of …
First Nations Need Property Rights to Succeed in Real Economy
An Indigenous band bylaw dispute in nearby Saskatchewan highlights the problems of First Nations lack of property rights under the Indian Act. The dispute arose when a group of protesters occupied the band office at Carry the Kettle First Nation, …
Find Backbone and Raise the Flag
Manitobans may have noticed that flags at federal institutions in the province are still flying at half mast. This has been the case since May with the discovery of roughly 200 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School …
Banning Natural Gas Heating in Cold Manitoba Just a Dumb Idea
Manitoba should not allow an IPCC report to scare our political leaders into alarmist behaviour. Recently, some of Winnipeg’s chattering classes did just that by promoting the preposterous idea that the Pallister government should change zoning rules to prohibit builders …
Clarifying Duty to Consult
How can we achieve Indigenous economic reconciliation when the legal system perpetuates endless legal grievances and challenges? Case in point is a recent court ruling in British Columbia that could have serious negative effects on developments in provinces that signed …
Manitoba Needs to Up its Mining Game
There is some good news for mining in Manitoba, but the province needs to reform its mining policies for the sector to thrive. Despite some progress over the years, this province still has a hostile climate for investment and this …
Put the Brakes on Senate Reform
Canada needs to finally have a conversation about Senate reform before politicians and interest groups transform the institution without the participation of average citizens. The federal government has introduced a bill in the Senate that would formally recognize the Senate …
Public Private Partnerships in Parks Benefit Public
Manitobans should not be afraid of the government partnering with the private sector to run public services such as provincial parks. Research shows these partnership agreements with private operators are quite common, are often well run and bring significant efficiencies …
Time to Prioritize Good Laws over Politically Expedient Decisions
The Senate or an election are the only things that could amend or end a badly worded and contentious bill that seeks to harmonize federal laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Bill C-15 …