What is Bill C-45? How did it spark Idle No More?

Bill C-45 is an omnibus bill that covers multiple topics ranging from the criminal code to the legalization of marijuana. In it includes a sections that affect the protection of lands and waterways.

How it affects the environment:

• lowered protective reserve lands

• lowered protective waterways

• removed many fish habitat protections

The act prioritized industrial development over the environment. The loss of protection over the lakes and rivers means that big industries can easily take from its natural resources. Bill C-45 and C-38 gave big industries, mining and oil companies the freedom of fewer regulations to push their projects forward. This doesn't allow for the consultation with indigenous peoples when developments affect their communities.

How did it spark Idle No More?

Bill C-45 was said to be the "trigger" because there were many other bills that were being protested for.

• Bill C-27 – required First nation owned businesses to publicly report income and expenses. This was based off racist assumptions that First nations are corrupt.

• Bill S-2 – did not address underlying issues or provide funding. The bill just attempts to address the gap on how property is divided up when married couples divorce.

• Bill s-8 – allows government to override and destroy Aboriginal rights to ensure safe drinking water. The government was unable to say why they needed this right.

Even though Bill C-45 was how Idle No More began and it emphasized the importance of protecting the environment, there are many bills that require the same level attention, covering treaty rights, nationhood and sovereignty.