Doug Ford pushes through rapid development law despite objections of First Nations
'We need to get moving, folks,' Ford said Wednesday before the vote on the Protect Ontario By Unleashing Our Economy Act, which creates 'special economic zones' where local and provincial rules can be bypassed — and which opposition parties dub 'no-law' zones.
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National Post
18 minutes ago
- National Post
Doug Ford's Return to Work order is a pathway to frustration for Ontario Health atHome workers
Article content TORONTO — Last week, Premier Doug Ford announced he is mandating all Ontario Public Service Agency and CommissionWorkers return to the office 5 days per week, starting in January. This policy, which was created with no consultation with workers and serves no meaningful purpose, is not only short-sighted, but also potentially fiscally irresponsible. Article content Since the pandemic, hybrid work has been the norm for the 1800 members serving Ontarians at Ontario Health atHome. This arrangement has been normalized as it enables them to maintain strong contact with one another while also allowing for workplace flexibility to help them manage their lives. The employer sold off many of the office buildings, meaning they no longer have the capacity to house all the staff back in the office. Article content Despite having 60% of the workforce in-office under the current hybrid model at any time, the organization is already struggling with a lack of office space available for the workers who are in the office. In the year since the pandemic, Ontario Health atHome has been restructured several times. There are already not enough work areas for the staff working from the office space that is available. Workers no longer have assigned workstations and haven't for over one year. This desk hoteling means that several employees share one desk in some offices, making managing their work more difficult. Added to this, Ford's government has also recently moved Ontario Health workers into Ontario Health atHome offices, which serves to compound this issue. Article content CUPE estimates that Ontario Health atHome will need at least two thirds more office space to meet this 100% in-office directive. Where will that office space come from? How does the government plan to pay for this rapid expansion? If the disastrous Wellesley-Bay redevelopment is any indication, the Ontario Taxpayers can expect further mismanagement, cost over-runs, and significant delays. Article content The Ford government needs to re-evaluate this policy. They must immediately ensure that enough space is available to meet the needs of the workers under the current 3-day per week model and commit to not spend extra money on real estate simply to implement its inflexible return to the office policy. We are calling on the Ford government to work with us to develop the most effective, efficient workplace plan that meets the needs of the employers and employees, one that will ensure OHAH can attract and retain the best workforce possible. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
Cision Canada
3 hours ago
- Cision Canada
RBC creating greater access to banking services for Indigenous Peoples with no monthly fee bank account now available for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Français
Industry-leading action opens greater access to banking services No monthly fee accounts also available for eligible seniors, youth under age 25, newcomers and RDSP beneficiaries TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2025 /CNW/ - A no monthly fee bank account is now available for Indigenous Peoples across Canada, as one of RBC's first steps to deliver on its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan: Pathways to Economic Prosperity. Published in June 2025, the Reconciliation Action Plan was developed by RBC's Indigenous markets enterprise strategy team, RBC Origins, in partnership with teams across RBC and Indigenous-owned and -led consulting firm BOOMInterTribal. The plan is based on insights from more than 400 First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, employees and business owners. "During our extensive engagement process, we heard about the unique systemic barriers and disproportional cost impacts that Indigenous Peoples face when seeking banking services. No monthly fee accounts are one of the cornerstones of those services," noted Chinyere Eni, Head of RBC Origins. "Our new no monthly fee account will help provide greater access to banking services and advice, as well as a path to financial independence for more First Nations, Inuit and Métis, opening up their access to capital and participation in the economy," added Eni. "Given how essential financial access is and the unique barriers Indigenous communities face with full economic participation, we have moved forward with pace to offer greater core banking support as a first priority of delivering on RBC's Reconciliation Action Plan commitments." The monthly fee for RBC's Day to Day Banking account is now being waived for Indigenous clients, based on the identification they provide to an RBC advisor or already have on file at RBC. Key features of no monthly fee Day to Day Banking that are available to Indigenous clients include: 12 debit transactions of any kind per month No minimum balance requirement Unlimited e-Transfers Unlimited Virtual Visa Debit transactions (online purchases) Unlimited self-serve electronic funds transfers Unlimited public transit debits (on participating transit systems) Free online cheque image viewing There are also a number of other no-cost banking services available at RBC. Monthly Advantage Banking account fees are waived for newcomers during their first year in Canada, to give them a head start on getting settled. RBC's no fee Advantage Banking account package for students has been extended to full-time students or anyone 24 and younger (including recent post-secondary graduates), to provide them with no monthly fee banking as they begin building their financial futures. For youth up to age 12, RBC Leo's Young Savers Account is a no monthly fee banking option. In addition, the monthly fee for Day to Day Banking accounts is rebated for seniors aged 65+ and waived for beneficiaries of Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs). No monthly fee and low-cost banking services are part of RBC's ongoing commitment to helping Canadians at all economic levels thrive and prosper. They also demonstrate RBC's response to recent enhancements to the FCAC's voluntary Commitment on Low-Cost and No-Cost Accounts, which come into effect on December 1, 2025. "We fully support the intent behind the FCAC's updated commitment and have moved now, ahead of their December timeline, to expand our no monthly fee and low-cost options," said Jay Acharya, SVP, Everyday Banking, RBC. "We know how crucial bank accounts are to helping Canadians unlock financial opportunities and build long-term success. The range of accounts we offer helps make that possible." More details about RBC's bank accounts, including eligibility and key features, are available by visiting About RBC Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at
CBC
5 hours ago
- CBC
Ontario pipeline corridor proposal faces pushback over lack of Indigenous consultation, environmental risks
Social Sharing Note: This is the second story in a three-part look at the East-West Energy Corridor project. You can read the initial story here. A group representing seven First Nations in northern Ontario says the province's push for a cross-country pipeline is moving ahead without their voices and is in conflict with federally funded conservation work already underway. If approved, the East-West Canadian Energy Corridor would carry oil and gas from Alberta to refineries in southern Ontario. But Lawrence Martin, lands and resources director for the Mushkegowuk Council, is frustrated that the province has not yet met with the council or the seven First Nation communities it represents, even though projects are being proposed on their territory along the James Bay coast. "It's as if we're invisible throughout this whole discussion, everything that's happening in the territory on the land or on the water. So it's quite amazing," Martin said. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the corridor is a nation-building project meant to strengthen energy security and boost exports, in part to respond to U.S. economic threats such as tariffs. The province also wants to explore the idea of new port outlets on James Bay, Hudson Bay and the Great Lakes, according to a news release this month. It has tied the proposed project to its broader push for critical mineral development in the north, and its effort to position the province as a hub for energy and manufacturing. Ford has said the corridor would bring thousands of jobs and attract global investment. Ontario has promised to "develop an Indigenous engagement roadmap" while studying the pipeline proposal, but Martin dismissed that as "lip service." He said he only learned of the province's request for proposals, to study the feasibility of the energy corridor, when contacted by CBC. CBC also reached out to Ford's office and the office of George Pirie, minister of northern economic development and growth, for comment. "The recent request for proposals is an initial step in determining the feasibility of energy corridors and new trade infrastructure across the province," Sam McCormick, a spokesperson for Pirie, said in a statement. "Our government has begun productive conversations with First Nations communities who share the vision of unlocking economic opportunity and critical infrastructure in their communities. These meetings with First Nation communities will directly inform the development and next steps of these nation-building projects," it said. Conflict with conservation work Martin said Ontario's interest in a deep-sea port on James Bay clashes with research the council has conducted with Parks Canada. Those studies, aimed at establishing national marine conservation areas (NMCAs), indicate the coast is unsuitable for large shipping infrastructure due to shallow waters, tides and ice cover. In December 2022, the federal government announced it would commit $800 million to support four major Indigenous-led marine conservation projects across Canada. The proposed marine conservation area on the James Bay and Hudson Bay was one of them. It would cover a 91,000-square-kilometre area along the southwestern shorelines of James Bay and north along Hudson Bay. Martin said Mushkegowuk Council recently re-entered negotiations with Parks Canada. "The feasibility study is done and we have determined through that study that it is feasible to have an NMCA in James Bay and Hudson Bay. "Now we have to start negotiating with the federal government on what the operations would look like and how we would have the Indigenous-led conservation ideas merged into the existing policies of the federal government," said Martin, who thinks an agreement could be finalized in the next year. Ontario's corridor plan, Martin argued, undermines that federal work. "It's a contradicting situation for the federal government. They're funding the feasibility study to establish a national marine conservation area, and specifically some of the 'do not do these things' include dredging. Dredging is part of the rules of having an NMCA in place." He hopes the community's ideas will be incorporated in establishing any NMCA. "But however the outcome, it's probably going to be the same as what we're seeing here from a common-sense logistical perspective. James Bay is not that kind of body of water that would accommodate deep sea." James Bay is within tidal waters, with tides coming in roughly every five to six hours, moving the earth on the bottom of the sea. Martin said if there's any kind of dredging, it would have to be continuous. It would also have to address the ice that's on James Bay. "We were just out there about a month ago, and there's still lots of ice out on James Bay and certainly a lot of ice in Hudson Bay. So you're talking about ice breakers and so forth, so it's going to be a lot of disturbance. ... that part is scary," Martin said. "Meeting invitations were sent to First Nations communities in regions impacted by the potential for a new energy corridor — these meetings are underway," said McCormick, the spokesperson for Pirie. "Our government has also met with First Nations partners regarding the proposed national marine conservation areas." It's always a concern when we are digging into our natural resources and when that can actually have ecological impacts on other natural resources such as our Great Lakes. Heather Exner-Pirot, director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, also questioned the economic case for oil and gas exports from James Bay because of ice and the short shipping season. "Even on the more southernly edge of the bay, you have a longer season. Even then, it's only a couple of months, certainly not all year. What your problem is going to be is Hudson Strait and what is that season going to be over the tip of northern Quebec and underneath Nunavut for the rest of the year," said Exner-Pirot. "What this means is that you can't export every day, and it's very difficult to build a pipeline and LNG [liquefied natural gas] export terminal if you're only using it for four to five or six months a year. That's half your business, half your revenues, half your usage gone immediately. I don't even think with nine or 10 months you could be that viable or competitive." Where a northern port might make more sense, she said, is for critical minerals. Mining operations in Quebec, Labrador and Nunavut already stockpile ore during the winter and ship it out during the open-water season. Is energy security worth it? Ontario's feasibility study for an east-west corridor will also consider the viability of a new or expanded refinery along the pipeline route. The province said boosting refining capacity could create jobs and open up new export opportunities. Exner-Pirot said the only rationale for building a new refinery would be to reduce dependence on American facilities. "The case for the federal government getting involved as a nation-building project is about energy independence — how much do we think we need to spend to be energy independent from the United States, knowing that they're extremely energy dependent on us, and take up to 4 million barrels a day from us." As of 2024, Canada has 17 refineries with a total capacity of 1.93 million barrels per day, according to Canada Energy Regulator. The agency, under Natural Resources Canada, is responsible for licensing, supervising, regulating and enforcing applicable Canadian laws concerning interprovincial and international oil, gas and electric utilities. Alberta has the largest share of refining capacity at 30 per cent, followed by Ontario and Quebec holding 21 per cent, New Brunswick at 17 per cent, Saskatchewan at eight per cent and Newfoundland at one per cent. Alberta holds the largest portion of Canada's refining capacity at 30 per cent, followed by Ontario and Quebec each with 21 per cent. New Brunswick accounts for 17 per cent, Saskatchewan for eight per cent and Newfoundland for one per cent, according to the Canada Energy Regulator. In 2023, Canadian refineries operated at 89 per cent capacity on average and consumed 1.6 million barrels of crude oil per day. Canada was the primary foreign supplier of crude oil to the U.S., accounting for 60 per cent of total U.S. crude oil imports and 23 per cent of U.S. refinery crude oil intake. Scientists warn of Great Lakes risks Mike McKay, director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Windsor in southwestern Ontario, said the corridor aligns with government goals to boost trade and reduce dependence on the U.S. — but comes with risks. "It's always a concern when we are digging into our natural resources and when that can actually have ecological impacts on other natural resources such as our Great Lakes," McKay said. "I would say the Great Lakes are the most important natural resources in North America. [They provide] over 20 per cent of the world's surface freshwater drinking water for tens of millions of people, both sides of the Canada–U.S. border and many First Nations and tribal groups as well." McKay explained that if you took the eight states and the two provinces that make up the Great Lakes basin, the region would account for the third largest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. "Part of that is because the lakes serve as drivers, whether it's industrialization, the agricultural activity surrounding the lakes, but they're important economic drivers in our region." Yet researchers still know little about how oil behaves in freshwater, according to McKay. The Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research and Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie are studying the effects through a project, funded through Natural Resources Canada, that's led by Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. It involves building mesocosms — a small, human-made ecosystem designed for scientific research that includes all the components of a natural ecosystem on a smaller scale — to simulate what may happen if oil is spilled in a wetland environment, for example. He said simulations were run last fall and this summer, with another one planned for this fall. "We need to be prepared in case there is an oil spill given that we already have pipelines that traverse the Great Lakes and plans for maybe even more within the basin." Call for meaningful dialogue Martin said the Mushkegowuk Council has repeatedly tried to sit down with the Ontario government to talk about the studies that have been done, to try to establish James Bay an NMCA through the federal government. "Despite the number of times we've been trying to set up meetings and establish a relationship with Ontario, it just hasn't happened," Martin said. "However, the federal government does have all of our studies that we have done and also with the universities that were involved in these particular studies. But will they come to us to seek that kind of information? I don't think so. But if they do, we're still willing to work with them to provide our two cents." Martin said he would like the province to contact Mushkegowuk Council, since it works with all First Nations along the coast of James Bay: Moose Cree First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Taykwa Tagamou Nation and Missanabie Cree First Nation. "We're working with all those communities on this conservation plan, and they are deeply involved with the studies and sharing the knowledge that they have. They also share how much they care for the way James Bay and Hudson Bay are being used now by the people and by the animals," he said.
