Chiefs of Ontario oppose Canada-China FIPPA

Chief Isadore Day of the Serpent River First Nation has provided an affidavit in support of the application by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs for a Federal Court application calling for the suspension of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Both Day and Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy have been vocal opponents of the Canada-China FIPPA since Oct. 31, 2012, saying that it is inconsistent with the international treaties already made between First Nations and the Crown and in breach of the fiduciary obligation to consult and accommodate First Nations in accordance with Canadian law, among other reasons. The FIPPA was also condemned by 133 First Nations in Ontario as an “unlawful violation of the sacred and sovereign treaties.” Day and Beardy have written letters to leaders of both Canada and China over three months ago, but have not received acceptable responses. While many First Nations and enterprises have ongoing business relationships with Chinese counterparts, First Nations are opposed to the unilateral imposition of the FIPPA.