Thread by @sunnshiiny

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp Understanding how government operates is crucial.

The issue is entirely provincial purview. Provinces control approvals for their natural resources within their boundaries. And the pipeline is entirely in BC. The feds do not have any purview or justification to direct solutions.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp We don’t live in a police state. We live in a social democracy. There are separation of powers and the feds do not DIRECT police intervention. Law enforcement operates independently from all levels of govt: Federal, Provincial and Municipal. So do the courts.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp I find it disturbing that so many Canadians don’t recognize the authoritarian calls for the federal government to step in and do something. They don’t have the jurisdiction and to do so would immediately produce a police state. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_st…

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp Restricting the protesters and removing them by force is an option open to the police. But it can NOT be directed by the federal government. Or the provincial govts, or any municipal govt.

That would make us a police state.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp But it is very informative and illuminating that CPC and NDP are both calling for federal intervention and blaming LPC and PMJT for the situation.

Indigenous people have a right to protest. And they have a valid grievance.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp I wonder if I’m the only one who has concerns about two political parties and their leadership echoing demands to adopt police state tactics?

Thank god LPC won the election. Imagine if either of the other two demanding intervention by the feds were in power.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp This situation is volatile, and a heavy hand is not the appropriate response.

Breaking constitutionally assigned purview is also not an option.

But how easily the population slides into autocracy when their pocketbook is impacted.

I find that extremely disturbing.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp People just want an end to the blockades because it impacts their wallet.

Most Canadians don’t care how the solution is obtained. They haven’t the foggiest idea about FN grievances and don’t care if they are valid or not. Just remove the blockades. By force if necessary.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp Watching that reality is profoundly unsettling and deeply disappointing.

As an indigenous person, it means we are miles away from reconciliation. Vast numbers of people don’t care whether indigenous people are mistreated.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp As long as they can pay their bills, what does it matter to them? It doesn’t.

Which is what indigenous people have been saying for a couple centuries. We don’t matter to mainstream Canada and governments. And this national crisis demonstrates that quite clearly.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp Of course there are exceptions. LPC and PMJT are demonstrating compassion and extending a hand to Wet’suwet’en. Many citizens are trying to understand the situation.

But it’s abundantly clear many would permanently & violently remove all FN dissent to access unceded territory.

@christmasali @BusyBurn @SugarmanSharna @theJagmeetSingh @jjhorgan @bcndp Which, essentially is the crux of this crisis.

Will Canadians respect indigenous people and their constitutional rights? Or continue to brush them, their rights and complaints under the rug with legal tricks?

This crisis is Canada’s opportunity at reconciliation.