12 Urbanism

12  Urbanism / Urban Colonialism:

The imposition of an unwanted eco-crime on the Peace, a region of the province far from the "centres of population and power," is a close parallel to the mistake Canada made before, in forcing Indian children into residential schools in the 19th and 20th centuries. The problem of the Residential School System was not specifically the details of what did and did not go on at the schools. The problem with the RSS was ultimately the racism behind it, the racism underlying the belief that this system was for the best for all concerned. That OUR way is superior, and YOU must, for your own good and for our benefit, do as WE say.

The imposition of Site C is an example of what I call Urbanism or Urban Colonialism. The belief that if the greater number wants something, it is right and it will happen. That numbers are all that matter. That "those people" up there would be better off if they chose to live like us, down here, in the cities, where we buy and import our food.

Urbanism is a close parallel to the racism and colonialism named and addressed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commisson's Final Report Summary. Urbanism is the imposition of a crime against environmental rights and human rights committed by a larger group from a larger region on a smaller group from a smaller region. Such crimes will continue to be perpetrated as long as the underlying causes, racism, urbanism, are not challenged and addressed. Challenges will begin with something like . . . "You have no right to harm me in this way . . . "

But where are people to turn, when it is the government(s) which is (are) victimizing them?