Posted by [EMAIL PROTECTED] : From: "chris" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Monday 6 December 1999 The Canadian Press LIBERALS CURB NISGA'A DEBATE OTTAWA (CP) - Debate on the controversial Nisga'a land-claim treaty has again been curbed by the Liberals. A motion allowing one extra day for report stage debates and one sitting day for third and final reading of the treaty passed 126-81 Monday in the Commons. Reform, the only federal party opposing the Nisga'a deal, called the move undemocratic and promises to delay the passage of the treaty. Voting on between 400 and 500 Reform-backed amendments is expected to begin Tuesday and could last well into the night. Third and final reading of the treaty will likely occur early next week, paving the way for its passage. The Liberals aim to pass the deal before the House rises for Christmas break, tentatively scheduled Dec. 17. The motion Monday was the second time the Liberals have limited Nisga'a debate. More than 5,000 B.C. Nisga'a would receive about 2,000 square kilometres of land in northwestern British Columbia, $253 million in cash, and self-government powers under the deal. In exchange, the Nisga'a people give up their tax-exempt status, any future claims and settle for a fraction of their traditional territory. Reform has decried the deal as unconstitutional and tantamount to creating a separate state. The official Opposition failed in its efforts to force a B.C.-wide referendum on the issue. Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<> Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<>
