As fewer voters see climate as a priority, protocol advances solutions with First Nations

Canadian voters are becoming less concerned with climate change, according to a report by the Angus Reid Institute. The non-profit research organization recently surveyed that only 15 per cent of voters considered climate change to be a “top issue” for the country. 

Though similar polls done by Angus Reid show that voters do not deny that climate change is caused by human activity, the surveys illustrate a decline in priority amongst voters. 

A poll conducted earlier this year by the institute recorded 42 per cent of Canadians think climate change poses a “very serious threat”, an eight per cent decrease from the 2021 poll. 

The recent increase in tariffs and threats of annexation from U.S. President Donald Trump have proven to be a great cause for concern amongst Canadian voters and politicians. 

"Donald Trump is trying to fundamentally change the world economy, the trading system,” said Liberal party leader Mark Carney during the federal leaders' debate, “… He's trying to break us, so the U.S. can own us. They want our land, they want our resources, they want our water, they want our country … We will fight back with counter tariffs … we will build the strongest economy.” 

Carney, previously renowned for his involvement in climate change policy as Liberal advisor, promised to repeal the consumer carbon tax. His stance on oil pipelines remains uncertain. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has heavily advocated for Canada to expand its oil and gas industries within the nation. Canadians head to the polls on April 28 during what Carney described as “the biggest crisis of our lifetimes.” 

Meanwhile, on Vancouver Island, the University of Victoria has partnered with the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) in a Relationship Protocol to strengthen Indigenous environmental leadership, advance climate priorities and generate meaningful benefits for First Nations in B.C. 

The FNLC is a unified political entity, with the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), the First Nations Summit (FNS) and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) collaborating to advocate for change for all First Nations in B.C. This time, they have collaborated with the Pacific Institute of Climate Solutions (PICS) to connect with universities. 

“A healthy environment underpins a healthy economy,” said PICS Executive Director Ian Mauro. “To be effective on climate, it means that our climate ambitions need to be done in a way that supports housing, affordability and all these other things that are high priority to people.” 

Mauro highlights the consistent effort from First Nations to strengthen community, economic and environmental resilience as an example of how economic and environmental goals go hand in hand. 

The protocol supports the implementation of the BC First Nation Climate Strategy and Action Plan and the Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction by First Nations in B.C. First Nations-led climate action will support current and future efforts in self-determination to care for their lands. 

“I think the framework in itself was to create that relationship between ourselves and many universities,” said BC AFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee, “but even further than that, it is to allow First Nations to have a space to talk about climate change and perhaps spring forward solutions.” 

Chief Teegee mentions how current political tensions between federal electorates and the U.S. have dramatically lessened the priority of climate solutions. Others attribute the decline of interest in climate solutions as an example of how integral land is to an individual. 

Hugh Braker, the political lead on Climate and Environment for the First Nations Summit (FNS), emphasizes the connection First Nations have with the land and how the physical location of many villages disproportionately endangers First Nations. 

The disasters of climate change cannot be ignored, says Braker. Salmon, a pillar in many coastal First Nation communities, is becoming scarce along the coastlines. Forest fires are a new normal during the summer. Ignoring this connection with the land has led to countless catastrophes, says Braker. 

Braker advised considering how individual actions will add up to detrimental consequences in the future. 

“One of the problems with climate change is that people procrastinate,” said Braker. “What you do today will determine how bad [climate change] will be in the future.” 

To support the protocol’s implementation, PICS will invest in capacity building, research, and educational opportunities that foster collaboration between universities, First Nations organizations, and nation partners. PICS has launched a scholarship program to support students working on projects that support the BC First Nation Climate Strategy, according to Mauro. 

“We’re stronger working collaboratively, and reconciling complex histories and different ways of knowing is hard work,” said Mauro, “[but] I think collaboration fuels hope and solutions.”