Historic agreement signed recognizing Indigenous title over Haida Gwaii
It was an emotional day in Haida Gwaii Monday, as Haida and federal leaders signed an agreement recognizing Indigenous title over the archipelago. Enshrining the Haida nation's right to control all of the islands' lands, the beds of freshwater bodies and foreshores to the low tide mark. The Council of the Haida Nation says it was the culmination of 100 years of political mobilization.
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Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba cabinet minister breaks silence about 2019 workplace harassment probe
Manitoba's sole cabinet minister has defended her work at a Winnipeg college and said she's being unjustly targeted more than five years after an investigation concluded she had harassed an employee. At least three employees of Red River College Polytechnic filed separate complaints about the behaviour of their boss, Rebecca Chartrand, in 2019. Chartrand, who won the riding of Churchill-Keewatinook Aski for the Liberals in April, was chosen by Prime Minister Mark Carney to be part of his inner circle. Between her failed 2015 run for office and her successful second try, the new MP and minister of Northern and Arctic affairs spent about 2-½ years in a senior management role at RRC Polytech's Indigenous education unit. On Tuesday, Chartrand provided a lengthy statement in which she touted her commitment to positive change and the progress she made on 'enhancing programs and fostering a student-centered environment' at RRC Polytech. She said her work is a 'source of great pride.' 'Let us concentrate on building up the community and supporting positive developments within the Indigenous community, instead of focusing on negativity that fans lateral violence within the Indigenous community,' the cabinet minister said via email Tuesday. The findings of the 2019 probe into her treatment of one particular employee on campus was leaked against the backdrop of the rookie politician's sudden rise up the ranks on Parliament Hill. Investigators from Rachlis Neville LLP concluded Chartrand had repeatedly harassed and humiliated a subordinate, who is also an Indigenous woman, over an extended period in 2019. RRC Polytech hired the firm that fall, after undertaking an internal investigation sparked by the same complainant. That one concluded Chartrand had breached school policy when she pushed through a controversial student survey — a project that several of her colleagues had raised concerns about — and taken retaliatory action against the employee who flagged the suspected breach. That individual, who left the college in 2020, repeatedly flagged the gist of those conclusions with her federal Liberal contacts before the April 28 election. 'As an Indigenous Liberal member who supports Mark Carney, I have been trying to warn the Winnipeg Liberal head office about (Chartrand). She will be a liability if elected and a scandal waiting to happen,' she wrote in an April 6 email to a fellow Liberal who was heavily involved in Carney's campaign. 'Let us concentrate on building up the community and supporting positive developments within the Indigenous community, instead of focusing on negativity that fans lateral violence within the Indigenous community.'–Rebecca Chartrand The Free Press has interviewed that employee and four others who worked closely with Chartrand when she oversaw Indigenous strategy at RRC Polytech from June 2017 to December 2019. Each of them expressed serious concerns about her treatment of employees — either themselves, former colleagues or both — who had voiced differing views to ones she held. Three said they made written complaints about her, but the report of only one of them was escalated and substantiated. They all agreed to share their experiences on the condition of anonymity. 'She's very authoritarian and she surrounds herself with 'yes' people and if you're not a 'yes' person, you're not going to be there — or she's going to make it really tough for you,' one source said. She said she frequently witnessed what she called 'lateral violence' — undermining and bullying of the whistleblower whose complaint was escalated. Chartrand's hostile behaviour made others 'cower,' the source said. Another ex-staffer recalled being fired on the basis of 'insubordination' after questioning the appropriateness and legalities of collecting deeply personal information from prospective students, via the survey. Chartrand faced criticism during the 2018-19 school year for creating 'an assessment readiness tool,' exclusively prepared for applicants of an Indigenous studies program, that requested details about their alcohol and recreational drug use. Multiple sources described Chartrand as a vindictive ladder-climber, citing one instance when she uninvited a staff member from an international trip to a conference he had pitched they go to because they'd had a disagreement. The employee in question had expressed problems with the survey, sources said. The decision to push forward the initiative and write off workers' concerns showed her 'bad judgment,' said a fourth ex-employee who indicated he contacted the federal NDP after learning Chartrand was nominated as the Liberal candidate for Churchill-Keewatinook Aski. That employee said he left RRC Polytech when his complaints involving Chartrand were unresolved. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. The Liberal party has declined to comment on the vetting of specific candidate applications, citing confidentiality. RRC Polytech has released limited information about Chartrand's tenure over the same rationale. 'I'm really disappointed at (the Liberals') lack of integrity or their lack of an answer to the people,' said the whistleblower whose complaints were substantiated by Rachlis Neville LLP. 'To be honest, it makes me question if the prime minister has been given the correct information to make the best decisions for who is in key positions.' She noted it was the party that had first brought her and Chartrand together, as they both worked on her 2015 bid under the leadership of then-Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Vancouver Sun
3 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Opinion: It's time to fast-track actions to defend B.C.'s lands, waters, fish and wildlife
B.C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney have outlined visions for rapid development of B.C. and Canada's natural resources to 'aggressively develop projects that are in the national interest in order to protect Canada's energy security.' As a drastic action to fast-track key projects, the provincial government recently narrowly passed Bills 14 and 15, laws that risk trampling Indigenous rights and circumventing environmental protections. As a scientist who studies the health of western Canada's oceans, rivers, and salmon, my alarm bells are going off. B.C. and Canada have an unfortunate track record of failing to protect ecosystems and people from industrial activities. From Eagle Creek to Mount Polley, mining disasters are releasing toxins into drinking water and killing fish — 70 per cent of B.C.'s salmon populations are declining . In the 2021 B.C. vs. Yahey decision, the B.C. Supreme Court found that the province enabled oil and gas and other industries to cumulatively degrade northeast B.C.'s ecosystems to such an extent that moose and caribou populations collapsed, violating Blueberry River First Nations' treaty rights. A daily roundup of Opinion pieces from the Sun and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Informed Opinion will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Risk of such harms to lands, waters, fish, wildlife, and Indigenous rights could be decreased through effective implementation of environmental policies. Eby also states he wants to advance 'conservation of precious water and land, and partnership with First Nations.' Here are five actions that the province could advance to fast-track safeguards for the lands and waters that sustain fish, wildlife, and people: First, set interim limits of cumulative industry disturbance to minimize risks of pushing lands and waters over thresholds of unacceptable harm. Currently, neither B.C. nor Canada has a policy that provides certainty for local peoples and industry by saying, 'This is too much.' There is an opportunity to leverage the existing B.C. Cumulative Effects Framework and the 2021 Yahey legal precedence to set interim baseline thresholds for cumulative disturbance with statutory power across all sectors. Second, support and empower regional planning processes. There are various new and ongoing planning processes that work with local rights-holders and other groups to incorporate local values and priorities to identify opportunities and limits for industry. Local peoples may want more, or less, stringent regulations than provincial thresholds. There is an opportunity to increase investment in and authority of land-use planning processes that supersede provincial guidelines. Third, protect 30 per cent of B.C. by 2030, guided by local rights-holders and scientific information. Indigenous protected and conserved areas and other Indigenous-led conservation initiatives can protect key ecosystems for current and future generations. Collectively, these locally and science-driven conservation areas could prioritize the protection of critical areas for cultural keystone species such as moose, caribou, and salmon and set no-go zones for industry. Continued action is needed if commitments of 30 per cent protection by 2030 are to be met. Fourth, prevent empty promises of economic benefits of industries. A 2023 study found that mines underdelivered promised jobs by 40 per cent, and delivered only one-third of forecasted tax revenue. A 2024 report found that many mine claims are doing environmentally harmful explorations aimed to garner investments that make mining executives even richer, but without intent to actually extract minerals. B.C.'s lands, waters, and local peoples would have some defence against get-rich-quick schemes if mining companies were required to submit a robust economic feasibility plan as part of their project description in the early stages of environmental assessment. Fifth, reconsider Bills 14 and 15 and clarify their application. Bills 14 and 15 give authority to fast-track projects and thus are a bellwether for the true colours of the province. Amendments to the bills could clarify how selected projects will consider environmental risks and incorporate free, prior, and informed consent to avoid violation of B.C.'s 2019 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. If the bills are used to fast-track a gold or coal mine, then it will be clear that B.C. is extracting its resources for short-term dollars at the expense of environmental well-being and future generations. In these times of crisis, B.C. and Canada have the very real opportunity to be global leaders in the triple bottom line of social, economic, and environmental thriving. As Canada takes action to fast-track sustainable development, there is a parallel need to fast-track actions to not sell off the health of our lands, waters, and futures to extractive industries. Healthy watersheds mean healthy people and healthy economies. Jonathan Moore is a professor of aquatic ecology and conservation at Simon Fraser University and Liber Ero Chair of coastal science and management.
Cision Canada
6 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Electricity sector urges federal government to adopt national plan to meet rising power demand
Electricity Alliance of Canada, an electricity industry coalition, outlines five priorities to secure clean, reliable energy and support Canada's economic future OTTAWA, ON, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's electricity sector is calling on the newly elected federal government to develop a bold and immediate plan when it comes to electricity in Canada. This is urgently needed to meet growing demand, secure the country's economic future and become an energy superpower. Last week, the federal government introduced the One Canadian Economy Act, which highlighted the need for building projects in the national interest. There is no greater national interest project than building Canada's electricity grid. The electricity sector finds itself at a pivotal juncture. With climate change accelerating, global energy dynamics shifting, electricity demand increasing and potential U.S. tariffs looming, Canada cannot afford to lose its strategic energy advantage. Canadians expect affordable, reliable and secure power—and the electricity industry is committed to delivering it. Canada's economy was built on dependable power. Today, more than 60 per cent of electricity is generated from hydroelectric sources, with nuclear, wind, solar, and energy storage playing growing and essential roles. Yet current electricity production—around 630 terawatt-hours annually—will not meet future needs. As industries electrify, manufacturing returns, and the economy becomes more digital, pressure on electricity systems will grow significantly. To meet this growing demand, substantial investments in electricity generation, transmission and distribution are essential—not only to keep the lights on, but to create jobs and secure long-term prosperity. The electricity sector is urging the new federal government to act on five urgent priorities: Streamline project approvals and clarify investment incentives The One Canadian Economy Act promises to accelerate project approvals. This is desperately needed. Slow and uncertain approval processes hinder investment and delay critical projects. The industry needs an efficient, 'one project, one review' process for major electricity projects and a finalized version of the Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits. On carbon pricing, a flexible approach should support environmental outcomes while ensuring regional fairness and global competitiveness. Partner meaningfully with Indigenous communities The proposed act also promotes the need for Indigenous voices to be heard. Indigenous partnership in clean energy projects is vital to Canada's future, and Indigenous voices must be heard when it comes to energy decisions. The federal government should also expand tools like the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program to ensure Indigenous partners can participate fully and on their own terms, supporting reconciliation. Build interprovincial energy corridors Canada must turn long-standing conversations about interprovincial grid connections into action. The federal government, provinces, Crown corporations and utilities must collaborate to support energy trade, infrastructure development and labour mobility in regulated occupations. Secure electricity supply chains Global supply chains are facing disruption from tariffs, regulation and trade tensions. The federal government must help manage these risks and ensure the resilience of supply chains critical to electricity infrastructure. Invest in workforce development The future grid requires a skilled, well-trained workforce. Continued federal investment in long-term training programs will help produce the tradespeople and engineers needed to support reliable, clean and resilient electricity systems. Affordable, reliable and clean electricity is a strategic Canadian advantage. The sector has already increased supply while reducing emissions, and is prepared to do even more. The One Canadian Economy Act indicates it's time to focus on "nation-building" projects. Building up the electricity sector—generation, transmission and distribution—not only represents a project in the national interest; it enables all other national interest projects. The electricity sector is ready to get to work on a strong, resilient system to meet growing demand and protect Canada's economic future. Canada needs a bold electricity plan—now. This statement was jointly issued by: Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association Francis Bradley, President and CEO, Electricity Canada Michelle Branigan, CEO, Electricity Human Resources Canada George Christidis, President and CEO, Canadian Nuclear Association Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada Lorena Patterson, President and CEO, WaterPower Canada About Electricity Alliance Canada Electricity Alliance Canada is a coalition of six industry associations promoting the power of electrification to lead the way to a sustainable energy future. Our mandate is to enable, promote and advocate for the increased use of electricity throughout the Canadian economy to help achieve Canada's net-zero emissions target.
