Canadian Colonialism

Having commented on Russian colonialism, I have to be fair and point out the glaring injustice that exists in Canada. Canada has a long history its own when it comes to the internal colonization of its territory. Not all Canadians have benefited from the wealth created in our society, and Canada's First Nations lag behind the Canadian average when it comes to a variety of socioeconomic indicators including wealth, health and education. A piece on CBCNEWS reviews the legacy of oil and gas development in Northern Alberta and how the indigenous peoples have not shared equally in the oil boom. Here is a short extract:

Decades of oil and gas activity in northern Alberta has done little to improve the lives of aboriginal people living there, according to a national environmental group that used federal government numbers that gauge community well-being.

The Sierra Club of Canada is using its findings to warn First Nations in the Northwest Territories that the proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas project could drag down their quality of living, rather than improve it.

"Natural gas development primarily benefits folks who live in Calgary, and perhaps Toronto, perhaps New York, perhaps Houston," executive director Stephen Hazell told CBC News on Thursday.

The underlying problem is the same as in Russia: a center benefits from the wealth generated at the periphery, with only a small fraction returning to the indigenous populations that must deal with the consequences of this industrial development.

The conclusions presented by the Sierra Club can be debated. In the article, a sociologist is cited who is critical of the way the data was used and interpreted. However, that is a good sign. Debate and disagreement is essential in any society, and NGO's play an important role in generating debate. Fortunately, NGO's such as the Sierra Club in Canada do not face the restrictions that NGO's now face in Russia. However, much still has to be done in Canada when it comes to promoting greater well-being in Canada's indigenous communities.