Re: NisgaB次元官网网址檃 proving critics wrong (B.C. Views, Dec. 3).

Tom Fletcher seems to have had an epiphany thatB次元官网网址檚 led to his urging acceptance of Supreme Court of Canada rulings which enabled the creation by the NisgaB次元官网网址檃 Nation of (FletcherB次元官网网址檚 words) B次元官网网址渁 parallel stateB次元官网网址� in B.C.

Fletcher may never have learned that B次元官网网址渢wo wrongs donB次元官网网址檛 make a right.B次元官网网址�

The first long-standing wrong at issue is the sorry treatment of aboriginals in both B.C. and across Canada. Despite significant improvements over recent years, more remains to be done.

The second wrong is that the Supreme Court of Canada now enables a new layer of government in B.C. WhatB次元官网网址檚 been created is a B次元官网网址渓anded gentryB次元官网网址� of sorts who have, in effect, received authority to exercise sovereign powers. They now plan to establish multiple export-enabling liquid natural gas terminals on the B.C. coast.

B.C. taxpayers will follow such developments with interest, particularly if there is no parallel commitment by the NisgaB次元官网网址檃 to assume increasing responsibility for both federal and provincial government services, as their B次元官网网址減arallel stateB次元官网网址� business plans prove profitable.

The old adage that B次元官网网址渢hereB次元官网网址檚 only one taxpayerB次元官网网址� could, with NisgaB次元官网网址檃 concurrence, remain a truism. ItB次元官网网址檚 based on the realization that whether itB次元官网网址檚 for services provided by local, provincial or federal governments, most voters and elected leaders have long recognized itB次元官网网址檚 the voting taxpayer who determines both government funding levels and program priorities.

Unanswered questions include: Will this aboriginal B次元官网网址減arallel stateB次元官网网址� acknowledge a responsibility to participate B次元官网网址� within its anticipated capability B次元官网网址� as a fully functional entity within our national federation?

Will it fund a portion of the many provincial and federal government services it now receives?

Will it commit to creating and funding its self-determined unique government service programs?

Historical antipathy between First Nations, local, provincial and federal agencies indicates a need for strong, but flexible leadership at all four governmental levels.

In seeking a comprehensive governmental rebalancing, weB次元官网网址檒l hopefully avoid historically based emotional rhetoric supporting retributive rationale if weB次元官网网址檙e to minimize costly, confrontational negotiations.

In B.C., our often-envied Canadian cultural mosaic is at risk of becoming a dysfunctional and tattered societal quilt.

Ron Johnson

Saanich