Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are trying to grab land across Canada by using indigenous people to gain support to protect and conserve areas across the country by establishing indigenous protected and conserved areas (IPCA)..The "Target 1 Challenge" by the federal government is committed to conserving 25% of Canada’s land and 25% of its oceans by 2025.."About two-thirds of the projects are expected to establish a protected or conserved area in the near future (establishment projects)," the federal government stated.."One-third of the projects are capacity-building projects, focused on preliminary work for protected and conserved areas in the longer term. These projects help to improve connectivity, advance indigenous-led conservation, and reconciliation, and have co-benefits for species at risk or carbon storage.".In August 2019, the minister of environment and climate change announced funding for a series of "challenge projects" including the establishment of up to 27 IPCAs.."This program is being funded by the Canada Nature Fund to enable a coordinated pan-Canadian approach to private-land and private interest in land acquisitions to establish new protected and conserved areas," the federal government stated..The federal government stated it will support actions toward the following:.— Achieving Canada’s goal of conserving 25% of Canada’s lands, inland waters, and oceans, respectively, by 2025, and working toward 30% of each by 2030..— Enhancing the integrity and connectivity of Canada’s protected and conserved areas network..— Establishing new IPCAs to support indigenous engagement in conservation..In March 2022, the federal government introduced its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, which provides a roadmap for the Canadian economy to achieve 40-45% emissions reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, building upon the actions outlined in Canada’s previous climate plans..In December 2020, the government launched its "A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy — Canada’s strengthened climate plan."."The plan builds on the efforts that are currently underway to cut more pollution, to create more good jobs, and to support a healthier economy and environment," the federal government stated.."Also as part of the plan, the Government of Canada committed to developing Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy by working with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, indigenous peoples, and other key partners.".According to the Liberals, the National Adaptation Strategy will build upon the adaptation strategies led by provinces, territories, local governments, indigenous peoples, and others, to unite actors across Canada through shared priorities, cohesive action, and a "whole-of-Canada approach" to reducing climate change risks..On Wednesday, MLA Dave Hanson for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul told the Alberta Legislature "Nice try Justin," concerning a potential Liberal land grab in his riding.."Well, Mr. Trudeau and the federal government are at it again, they make an agreement with the province and then find another angle to try and interfere with provincial jurisdiction," Hanson said..READ MORE: Hanson says 'Nice try Justin' about Liberal land grab in Lakeland.The Metis Settlements General Council (MSGC) in conjunction with the Liberal federal government, is seeking to create two IPCAs in the Athabasca and Cold Lake regions..However, Alberta is not the only place where Trudeau is trying to grab land and protect it..Proposals for IPCAs are now being developed in over 60 places in Canada. In 2019, it was 27..READ MORE: Major changes to public lands in Northern Alberta being discussed by Trudeau Liberals.One of those places is in the Municipal District of Bonnyville..Reeve Barry Kalinski from the MD of Bonnyville told the Western Standard the federal government is trying to take Crown land and give it back to the indigenous. Kalinski said he believes this is about the oil and gas under the ground which the federal government seeks to control.."We're gonna lose all that land for our tax base," Kalinski said.."If this occurs, we lose those taxes right off the bat, and then they (feds) have full control of that area.".Kalinski couldn't provide the exact amount of taxes the district will lose, but said it is "significant."
