Response to The Tyee: Minister Chong 'Proud' of Great Bear Carbon Offsets

By Ida Chong, TheTyee.ca

In response to Ben Parfitt's opinion piece in The Tyee, Why Such Secrecy About Great Bear Carbon Offsets?, published Jan. 18, 2013.

Our government is proud of the work it has done to develop Atmospheric Benefit Sharing Agreements, part of our Reconciliation Agreements with the Coastal, Haida and Nanwakolas First Nations. It is just one way B.C. is leading the country when it comes to developing innovative opportunities for First Nations to participate in B.C.'s economy.

Each Reconciliation Protocol was publicly celebrated and acknowledged in a joint news release as a starting point for stronger government-to-government relations, supporting shared decision making and creating greater certainty for industry. The Reconciliation Protocols came about in consultation with local communities, industry and non-governmental organizations and are supported by many years of work on land-use management plans on the North and Central Coast as well as Haida Gwaii.

Each Reconciliation Protocol includes economic development opportunities for First Nations such as Atmospheric Benefit Sharing Agreements, opportunities in forestry, tourism and clean energy, and revenue sharing opportunities for developments within their traditional territories. These opportunities in turn enable First Nations to pursue their own social priorities, support strong families and strong communities.

As an international market-based trading system for carbon offsets develops, Atmospheric Benefit Sharing Agreements lay the groundwork for First Nations participation, while meeting the mutual goals of First Nations and all British Columbians: preserving important eco-systems such as the Great Bear Rainforest and creating opportunities for participation in the green economy. In fact, the Tyee previously lauded this work in an article titled Great Bear Forest to Be Massive Carbon Offset Project by Christopher Pollon, published June 12, 2011.

British Columbia shares revenue or provides opportunities for First Nations to participate in atmospheric benefits, forestry revenue and access to timber, mineral revenues from new and expanded mines, oil and gas revenues, and revenue from clean-energy projects through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.

We are leading the country in our efforts to work with First Nations communities and we will continue to openly build new relationships based on mutual respect and responsibility that improve the quality of life of aboriginal people for the benefit of all British Columbians.

###

Ida Chong was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation on September 5, 2012.

Ida’s previous cabinet portfolios include Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Minister of Science and Universities, Minister of Regional, Economic and Skills Development, Healthy Living and Sport, Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative, Minister of Community Services, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services. In addition to her role as Minister, she also served on the Cabinet Committee for Climate Action and B.C.’s Treasury Board.

A native of greater Victoria, Ida has represented her constituency of Oak Bay-Gordon Head since she first entered provincial politics in 1996. During her first term at the legislature she was the Official Opposition critic in a number of areas, including critic for Small Business and Deputy Critic of Finance. She was re-elected to represent the riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head in 2009.

Ida has been involved in her community for years, volunteering for a number of not-for-profit groups and serving as municipal councilor for the District of Saanich, from 1993-1996.

For nearly 20 years, she was senior partner in an accounting practice based in Saanich, catering to small and medium sized enterprises. While no longer in active practice, she proudly retains her credentials as a Certified General Accountant, having won a number of awards for her work in this field, including being named in 2006 a Fellow of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, a national designation for exemplary service.