Removing the need for proper…

Removing the need for proper environmental assessments is destructive and disrespectful for several reasons.

With the new model in place, known and unknown archaeological sites will likely be damaged or destroyed. Archaeological assessments help to preserve the past, where our cultural heritage can be observed and learned through historical sites. Further, the proposal puts burial sites at risk for destruction, demonstrating an extreme impertinence to the dead.

In addition to this disrespect, many of these sites are Indigenous or on Indigenous land, demonstrating an immense level of disrespect to Indigenous communities and their ancestors. Much of Canadian land is Indigenous territory, thus building on their land without a thorough environmental assessment and consulting with First Nations communities and representatives portrays the complete lack of respect for their culture and heritage. This clearly illustrates the continuous colonist acts of the government and is a step in the wrong direction for the decolonization of Canada.

Not only is the new model of streamlined environmental assessments destructive and disrespectful for archaeological and First Nations heritage, it will also eliminate career fields. Archaeologists and environmental consultants will no longer have their chosen careers that they worked hard to earn through time and expensive education. This new model does not consider the jobs that will be lost if what is proposed comes into effect.

Lastly, while historical significance has the potential for permanent destruction, so does the environment. Without proper environmental assessments, many species will be at risk for endangerment or even extinction. As a young person writing, the future of Earth is in the hands of my generation. I cannot bear to see more damage to our planet than what has already been done by our older generations.

Environmental assessments were put into place for protection. This process cannot be streamlined without detrimental impacts to history, Indigenous peoples, workers, and our Earth.