Cette these analyse le discours de cinq organisations autochtones a travers les memoires soumis au comite permanent de la Chambre des communes sur les affaires autochtones. La periode d'analyse se situe entre 1984 et 1993. L'auteur essaie d'identifier la presence d'un nouveau paradigme qui emerge dans les domaines des affaires indiennes dans le discours de cinq organisations autochtones. L'auteur conclut que, bien que le nouveau paradigme soit omnipresent, des elements de l'ancien paradigme sont profondement ancres dans le discours des cinq organisations autochtones.

Examining hydro-electric development, as it occurred in northeastern Ontario, sheds a new and different light on the history of technology and development in Canada. The northeastern Ontario hydro-electric system (Mattagami and Abitibi watersheds) developed over a period of fifty years. It developed through a process of interaction between technology and the environment, native and non-native relations, metropolitan business and political interests and northern natural resources. Once Aboriginal rights and environmental obstacles had been removed through treaty negotiations and technical innovations, early hydro-electric development took place under private auspices by individual entrepreneurs such as Frank Cochrane or big concerns such as Nesbitt Thomson, operating out of Montreal. Their activities, for the most part, established a series of independent generating stations serving specific customers in northeastern Ontario, with some interconnection with Quebec. After 1944, with the entry of Ontario Hydro into northeastern Ontario and the elimination of Nesbitt Thomson and other private developers, the amalgamation of the northeastern Ontario system into the southern Ontario system began in earnest. Amalgamation resulted from the interweaving of various factors not the least of which was continued drought in the northeast rendering the system incapable of supplying the region's power needs. Studying the influence of rivers on the development of technical systems proves that nature does interact with technology and therefore should not be ignored. In the example provided by this dissertation, the river influences the shape of the hydro-electric system significantly. Studying the interaction between hydro-electric developers, the environment and First Nations illustrates that, even though they are harmed by development, the latter two actors are not helpless. To portray them as victims denigrates their ability to shape development and adapt to adverse conditions. Also, studying the interaction between the metropole and the northeastern region demonstrates that the hinterland is more than a backdrop to metropolitan development. It too influences the decisions of the metropolitan systems builders. Because the hinterland, the environment and the First Nations retain their own identity and shape the system's development, the metaphor used to describe systems development should acknowledge turmoil or conflict but additionally convey an image of adaptation and continuity; hence the metaphor of cross-currents. Turmoil occurs when cross-currents intersect in a river's course but this act of intermingling also includes adaptation thus allowing for continuity. Including the rivers themselves in the study of hydro-electric development also illuminates a feature of development that has rarely been discussed: co-operation. In the northeast, co-operation in certain areas proved necessary to allow and further the hydro-electric system's growth. This element of co-operation is a timely characteristic to note. In today's environment of limited energy resources, increasing criticism of the ideology of "Progress" and increasing respect for First Nations' rights and the environment, co-operation is a more acceptable approach to development than conquest and domination. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

On compte ces temps-ci au Canada un nombre appreciable de femmes (20%) parmi nos representantes et representants politiques a tous les niveau de gouvernement: municipal, regional, provincial et federal. On constate alors que ces politiciennes sont susceptibles d'influencer les decisions politiques. L'augmentation du nombre d'elues dans toutes les spheres de prise decision nous rappelle que le mouvement des femmes a su abattre des barrieres afin que des femmes puissent aujourd'hui parcourir le monde politique sans avoir a trebucher sans cesse dans taute une serie d'obstacles institutionnels, partisans, economiques etc. Il nons semble donc important d'observer les impacts qu'ont certaines elues dans les institutions politiques traditionnelles. A cette fin, ce travail veut identifier et etudier les mecanismes de prise de decision lies aux reseaux de femmes. Nous cherchons a etablir si ces reseaux de femmes peuvent servir a creer des espaces feministes susceptibles de repondre aux interets des femmes et ainsi representer celles-ci. Non seulement les reseaux formels et informels sont de bons indices de l'etat du mouvements des femmes, mais nous croyons aussi que l'existence de reseaux de femmes est un bon indice de l'etat de la representation politique des interets des femmes. En consequence, nous proposons d'analyser ce phenomene qu'est le "reseautage" par l'entremise de deux series d'entrevues qui ont ete realisees en 1992 et 1994. Nous avons choisi d'effectuer des entrevfues en profondeur avec cinq politiciennes oeuvrant a divers paliers gouvemementaux dans le region d'Ottawa. Nous analysons les differents sens, ainsi que l'importance pratique qu'elles accordent aux reseaux. D'abord, nous abordons la perception des elues concernant les differentes formes de reseaux en general dans la region; ensuite, nous nous attardons a leur perception des reseaux de femmes; enfin, nous proposons des liens entre leur conception et utilisation des reseaux et les courants theoriques de la representation des femmes en politique.

This thesis explores the highly controversial provision that gives life sentence prisoners the opportunity to apply for a reduction in their original periods of parole ineligibility. Section 745 (s.745) of the Criminal Code was created in 1976 when capital punishment was abolished and the penalty structure for the crime of homicide was revised. Recognizing that offenders convicted of first (and to a lesser extent) second degree murder would now spend considerable periods of time behind bars, legislators created a mechanism to allow for review of the changes that may take place in this new group of prisoners over the years. Critics contend that s.745 represents a loophole in the law and must be abolished. Advocates maintain that s.745 is part and parcel of the life sentence created in 1976 and should remain intact in its original form. At first glance it would appear that the public are opposed to s.745. Yet a paradox exists, namely, that it is members from the same communities where opposition abounds who are sitting on juries and granting reductions in parole ineligibility. The purpose of this thesis was to research the previously unexplored area of public opinion and s.745 in order to study the existence of this paradox. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Notre presentera le potentiel du Quatrieme recensement decenal du Canada (1901) dans l'etude historique des questions linguistiques canadiennes. Le texte examinera les forces et les faiblesses du recensement comme source pour ensuite presenter un exemple d'utilisation des donnees. Grace aux renseignements sur les langues maternelles des individus et leurs capacites de parler dans l'une ou les deux langues principales du Dominion, on observera en guise d'exemple le pourcentage des gens du Canton de Longueuil (Ontario) capable de s'exprimer dans les deux langues. De plus, cette etude ce penchera sur l'influence mutuelle des variables du recensement et des capacites des individus a converser dans les deux langues officielles. Le Canton de Longueuil, tout comme le Comte de Prescott, se distinguait en 1901 par son caractere predominant francophone et rural dans une province d'heritage britannique et de langue anglaise. Les pourcentages de bilinguisme de cette communaute a majorite franco-ontarienne ne refletent pas necessairement la proportion d'Ontariens capable de s'exprimer dans les deux langues principales du Canada. Cependant, ce texte se presente comme une invitation a une etude a plus grande echelle qui serait plus representative des capacites des Ontariens et des Canadiens en general a s'exprimer dans les deux langues.

This dissertation argues that the Ontario-Manitoba Boundary Dispute (1870-1889) and its aftermath limited the ability of the Ojibway of northwestern Ontario to maintain and develop their interests in the lands and resources to which they were entitled by the terms of Treaty #3, signed in 1873. In particular, their rights to the mineral and timber resources on their reserves were threatened. Furthermore, once the Boundary Dispute was resolved in favour of Ontario, their reserve lands were found to be in the province, which therefore gained the right to confirm the reserves. Continuing disputes between the province and the Dominion resulting from this retroactive decision delayed this confirmation until 1915. Once the reserves were confirmed, however, the nature of the Indian interest in them prior to 1915 was questioned by the province. In this and other ways, the fiduciary responsibilities of the federal government toward the Ojibway were encroached upon by the province of Ontario. The governments and individuals involved in the lawsuits generated by the Boundary Dispute overlooked the fate of an increasingly marginalized and politically inconsequential group in the pursuit of their own agendas and interests. The courts squeezed the concepts of Aboriginal title to the land and its resources into narrow nineteenth century perceptions that still limit the rights of First Nations peoples. Placing these cases, in particular the "Indian Titles" case, R. v. St. Catharines Milling & Lumber Co., and its 'corollary', Ontario Mining Company v. Seybold et al., into their historical context contributes to understanding the complex problems still faced by the Ojibway of Treaty #3. The dissertation concludes with an exploration of the continuing attempts made by the Ojibway to assert their rights in light of these events.

Dans le cadre de la presente these, j'ai tente de vous sensibiliser au role actuel du Commissaire aux langues officielles dans le but avoue de vous presenter d'une part un role futur qui pourrait lui etre attribue et d'autre part de soulever l'interet pour la creation d'un Tribunal sur les langues officielles. Cette etude s'insere dans le contexte sociologique, politique, economique et juridique actuel du Canada. L'idee des modifications proposees au role du Commissaire et celle de la creation d'un Tribunal sur les langues officielles ont pris naissance a la suite d'une prise de conscience des nombreuses insatisfactions exprimees par les citoyens canadiens quant a la difficulte d'obtenir un service dans la langue officielle de leur choix aupres des institutions federales ainsi que des difficultes a travailler dans la langue officielle de leur choix. Il y a donc lieu de replacer les droits linguistiques et la Loi sur les langues officielles dans leur contexte historique. L'objet de la presente these avait pour but de faire le point sur le role du Commissaire aux langues officielles en prenant conscience des limites de ses pouvoirs et en appreciant la situation delicate dans laquelle il exerce ses fonctions afin de faire respecter la Loi. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The thesis of this dissertation is that the sovereignty of Natives over their ancestral lands not transferred by treaty or conquest was always recognized by the various colonial Powers who successively claimed Canada. The focus of the paper is legal. The aim is to prove the maintainability at law, and specifically at Canadian law, of Native territorial sovereignty. The paper does not attempt to describe the qualities this legal sovereignty possesses. To prove the thesis, the study takes a primarily historical perspective in determining what was the law of the various Powers at the relevant time as concerns the status of indigenous populations and their territories in newly discovered lands. The dissertation begins in chapter two, by examining international law. Chapters three, four and five then look at the practices, respectively, of Spain and Portugal, of France and of England as the principal Powers involved in the colonial history of Canada. In chapter six, the study turns to the judicial arena and examines Canadian caselaw, and its American influences. It also engages in a comparative review of the caselaw in Australia and New Zealand. Finally, having established that Native sovereignty is at least theoretically part of the law Canada inherited and that the issue has not been judicially foreclosed, chapter seven examines the treaty and comprehensive land claims agreement processes in Canada. To show that vast parts of the country which were occupied by Indians at the time of European contact, remain so today, and are not yet under treaty. These areas constitute territories over which Canadian sovereignty has wrongly been assumed which potentially could be lost to Canada if not secured by treaty. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

This thesis examines the fiduciary relationship between the federal Crown and Indian bands arising under the Indian Act, and more particularly the obligations adhering to the Crown when it accepts surrenders of reserve lands for its own purposes. It begins with an analysis of the theoretical basis of the fiduciary relationship in private law, concluding that such a relationship arises whenever a person acquires a power or property subject to the condition that the power will be exercised, or the property used, to further the interests of another. The thesis then examines the source of the Crown/Indian fiduciary relationship, and concludes that the Indian Act requirement that a band contemplating an alienation of its lands must first transfer those lands to the Crown, and the corresponding discretion vested in the Crown in disposing of those lands on the band's behalf, supply the requisite conditions, in accordance with private law fiduciary principles, for establishment of an ongoing fiduciary relationship in respect of the alienation of Indian lands. The thesis then provides a detailed review of the rules applicable to conflict of interest by a fiduciary in private law, and concludes that the more stringent requirements applicable to conflict of interest by a fiduciary in private law should also be extended to the Crown where the Crown accepts surrenders of land, or deals with Indian assets, in a manner that ultimately benefits the Crown.

Abstract Not Available.