Jaime Battiste

Faster fossil phase-down

The other end of this axis: Slower phase-down, production first

excerpts repeat support for cutting carbon footprint in half within 10 years and mitigating climate crisis

The United Nations has been adamant about our need to cut our carbon footprint in half globally within 10 years. The scientific evidence is clear.

Restrain spending and deployments

The other end of this axis: Higher spending and more capability

excerpts oppose military or police escalation in indigenous protests

With respect to the military, one of the things that Mi'kmaq leaders are quite afraid of is having an increased presence of military in that area. One of them jokingly said to me, “When they call in the cavalry, it is not usually good news for the Indians” or indigenous people.

Restrict new oil and gas

The other end of this axis: Expand production and export

excerpts call for transition to clean energy and renewables like hydrogen

Speaker, as someone from Nova Scotia, who represents indigenous communities, I have heard, loud and clear, not only from our provincial leaders but also indigenous leaders that this is an important thing for us to make that transition to clean energy. We have heard from Membertou Chief Terry Paul, who has talked to us about the importance of EverWind and hydrogen moving forward with all of the things that we need to make a better future for our future generations.

Expand public coverage

The other end of this axis: More private delivery

excerpts back mental health funding and public response measures

I know the most recent funding announced said we were going to do $631 million over the next two years for a public health response, as well as an additional $82.5 million for mental wellness needs. Can the witnesses give us some recommendations on best practices around indigenous youth, indigenous people on reserve and ensuring that we can still build up their morale and their hope during a pandemic that has taken so much from them?

Public supply and demand controls

The other end of this axis: Market supply and deregulation

Excerpt describes $13 billion federal initiative for affordable housing construction and financing.

With the new Build Canada Homes initiative, there is $13 billion that aims to increase the supply of affordable housing through construction, financing and industry. As we endeavour to build houses faster and in greater numbers, we will build these Canadian homes with Canadian materials, such as lumber, to ensure that we are supporting our local industries from start to finish.

Higher permanent intake

The other end of this axis: Lower intake

excerpts state immigration is fundamental for strong local economy

” On Cape Breton Island, where I am from and whose communities I represent, immigration to Canada is not an abstract national statistic. It is fundamental for our future. My constituents rely on immigration for a strong local economy, which is facing the mounting twin pressures of an aging workforce and an exodus of young Cape Bretoners.

Prevention and restraint

The other end of this axis: Enforcement and sentencing

excerpts oppose military escalation and favor more Mi'kmaq peacekeepers

We have to understand that there is systemic racism in all levels of government and while we want the RCMP and police keepers, what we really want to see is more Mi'kmaq police keepers, peacekeepers and RCMP people to help protect.

Diversify away from one partner

The other end of this axis: Deeper continental integration

Excerpt calls for becoming less reliant on trade partners to the south.

The challenge before us is to become less reliant on our trade partners to the south and to build from within. I would like to start off by talking about one of my favourite words in the English language, which is “infrastructure”.