
Territorial premiers say internal trade talks should consider northern context
The premiers of Canada's three territories say the country's push to remove internal trade barriers needs to consider the unique economic situation of the North.
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok say they will be exploring the creation of a "territorial trade zone" that would make sure modern treaties with Indigenous people, and the needs of the territories are recognized as trade barriers come down.
The premiers met this weekend in Yukon for their annual Northern Premiers' Forum.
Pillai told reporters at a joint press conference Sunday that the territories are willing, where possible, to remove trade barriers but any conversations have to consider agreements that are in place with northern Indigenous governments.
Newly-elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised a plan to eliminate trade barriers between provinces and territories by Canada Day.
Pillai said that is a tight timeline for the North.
"We want to be at that table moving toward July 2, but in that short time frame, we (need to) have a lot of discussions, and there's some very significant, legally binding, constitutionally anchored agreements that we also have to have a look at," he said.
"I think it gives us an opportunity to be willing partners at the table, but it also gives us a chance to educate our other colleagues about what's unique here," he said.
Akeeagok said the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement has enshrined articles that give Inuit the right of first refusal on procurement and require consultation for any legislative change.
"We are very open in terms of breaking down the barriers, streamlining a lot of these processes, among other things," he said.
"But it requires us to be able to sit down with them and just talk and to be able to have a meaningful consultation with them."
Pillai said significant projects in the North already often require companies from large nearby provinces to be completed, which allows those companies to reap the benefits.
"If you're going to have us start to remove these opportunities for Northern companies, how are you going to, as well support the three territories in helping to grow this economy?" he said.
Simpson says even if the territories hold on to some of their exemptions under the Canada Free Trade Agreement, reducing any barriers to doing business will benefit the North and the rest of Canada.
"I'm very hopeful about the work that's happening, and I'm confident that we're going to see the benefits of it," he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Opinion: Letters, June 10
Opinion Rent problems Re: Finding what's missing in the Winnipeg housing marke t (Think Tank, June 9) While Mr. Bellamy identifies the problem of affordable housing, I am disheartened at the lack of analysis of how families seeking ownership, as opposed to eternal status as tenants, can afford to bid against commercial developers who will now be able to bid for essentially every property in Winnipeg as a tear-down to construct multi-family revenue-generating 'middle housing.' The law of unintended consequences may then obtain with ever higher rents when the option of ownership further recedes into the economic distance, given that individuals bidding against investors will be at tremendous economic disadvantage. Mr. Bellamy is suggesting a market-based solution, when all the fundamentals of present concentration of ownership in the commercial residential tenancy market tends toward rent controls as essentially ineffective in the new construction market. Norman Rosenbaum Winnipeg Khan's claims Re: Seeking a reset on 'parental rights' and landfill snafus (June 7) Although Obby Khan was deeply involved in the 2023 provincial government that saw the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives decimated at the polls, he now purports that he was unaware of the meaning of the right-wing soundbite decrying that 'parental rights' were in danger, i.e. that the LGBTTQ+ community had no right to self-determination. Apparently, he was far too busy to attend any of this year's Pride activities, and besides pointing to his taxing schedule, tried to explain his absence by saying that no one in his party had received an invitation to any activity. Newsflash: no one needs an invitation to participate in Pride activities. During the campaign, his silence regarding the 'Stand firm' soundbite is equally telling. His party took the official stance of refusing to search a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two Indigenous women who police presumed were victims of an alleged serial killer. This was a central plank in his party's campaign. Remaining silent in the face of clear racism does not absolve his tacit complicitly in promoting that horrific message. The remains of Marcedes Myran and Morgan Harris were later found, thanks to the humanity and commitment of the Manitoba NDP. Does Khan not know that his pants are on fire, for all to see? A veritable inferno. Kenneth Meadwell Winnipeg I find it interesting that Obby Khan, the newly elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party states that he has had an 'a-ha' moment when it comes to his stance on parental rights and support (or lack of support) for the LGBTTQ+ community. First, he explains his position of being the champion of the parental rights movement as not really understanding the meaning or the extent of that movement as being anti-LGBTTQ+ and now he wants to apologize to anyone who though he was promoting a hate concept. Along with many other Winnipeggers, I saw Mr. Khan leading that huge parental rights demonstration down Broadway and it was clear that it was anti-LGBTTQ+. So I don't believe that excuse for a minute. Second, Mr. Khan and his entire PC caucus just voted against Bill 43 which would add Gender Expression to Manitoba's Human Rights code. This would not only ensure individuals are not discriminated against based on how they express their gender, but also bring the code in line with almost all other provinces and territories in Canada. Every PC caucus member voted against Bill 43 with Mr. Khan again leading the way. Don't believe this party has changed their stance on anything. Their 'apologies' are not lining up with their actions. Melissa Dvorak Winnipeg Khan really can't win this one. Either he knew and went along with it or he didn't think to google the phrase they were going to put beside his likeness and plaster all over certain areas of Winnipeg before agreeing to it. Either way, it demonstrates a level of cruelty or incompetence. One could also look to where the concentration of those ads were going to be the highest and should have asked a few other questions. Like, why are we targeting these areas with these ads? Answers to those questions should have raised concerns as well and maybe prompted another visit to the Google machine in hopes of generating possible eye-opening results. Regardless, his lack of interest in the power of language doesn't make for a great leader. And definitely doesn't signal a change in the party. From Pallister's 'All Lives Matter' comment to Stefenson's 'And that's where I draw the line' the PCs really need people who understand that words matter. They have staying power. And in Khan's case, they have sticking power. His words do stick with voters. And to date, none of them in a good way. For those reasons I do believe that if a provincial election were held tomorrow, Khan would end up with one more thing in common with Pierre Poilievre: he'd be a party leader without a seat. Brian Spencler Winnipeg HBC's legacy In 1821, the North West Company was absorbed into the Hudson's Bay Company and its name put to rest. In 1987, the HBC shed its Northern Stores Division, which subsequently became the revived North West Company. Knowing these facts may comfort those, including myself, who lament the loss of the iconic Bay, in at least two ways. First is the idea that it may one day, perhaps in the far future, be itself revived in some form, as had been the NWC. Second, and more immediate, is the knowledge that the NWC carries a lot of the history of the HBC; it is not completely lost. It is as yet unclear exactly what meaning or resonance the HBC Stripes, as sold by Canadian Tire, will have, but I hope they prove to be, in the near future, another source of comfort and historical continuity for all who miss the Bay. Conrad Padilla Winnipeg Time for an inquiry Re: Bureaucrats must also be accountable (Think Tank, June 7) David McLaughlin's article on Manitoba's ethics commissioner report shows a clear case of broken governance and the need for Premier Wab Kinew to call for a full, independent public inquiry into the Sio Silica file. For decades, organizations have been calling for meaningful reform of Manitoba's environmental assessment and licensing regime under the Environment Act. Reforms that ensure for independent evidence-based decision making, an accountable public service and a transparent process are required to bring about proper oversight and good governance. Strengthening our environmental and mineral law and policy will prevent the 'fear or favour' culture and political back-door dealings identified in the report. The government's handling of the Sio Silica development since 2016 exemplifies the 'capture in ideas and implementation and an unhealthy accommodation of 'getting along to go along.'' Until an inquiry and meaningful reform occurs, Manitobans will continue to have no confidence in our government nor our environmental regulatory and enforcement processes. Tangi Bell Anola


Canada Standard
3 hours ago
- Canada Standard
A First Nations Power Authority Could Transform Electricity Generation for IndigenousNations
First Nations across British Columbia have developed renewable electricity projects for decades. Yet they've experienced significant barriers to implementing, owning and managing their own electricity supply. That's because there have been few procurement policies in place that require their involvement. While municipalities are allowed to own and operate electricity utilities in B.C., First Nations are not [ pdf ], writes at team of experts and advocates at The Conversation. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) in B.C. requires that First Nations are provided with opportunities for economic development without discrimination. Many First Nations in B.C. view the development of renewable electricity projects on their lands-like hydro power, solar panels, wind turbines and transmission lines-as a way to achieve social, environmental and economic goals that are important to their community. These goals may include powering buildings in the community, creating economic development and local jobs, earning revenue, improving access to affordable and reliable electricity or using less diesel. Related: First Nations Power Authorities Could Show Path to Energy Justice The study shares the story of a coalition of First Nations and organizations that advocated for changes to electricity regulations and laws to give Indigenous communities more control to develop renewable electricity projects. Interviews with knowledge holders from 14 First Nations offer insight into motivations behind their calls for regulatory changes. The coalition includes the Clean Energy Association of B.C., New Relationship Trust, Pembina Institute, First Nations Power Authority, Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, and the First Nations Clean Energy Working Group. View our latest digests Almost all electricity customers in B.C. are served by BC Hydro, the electric utility owned by the provincial government. The coalition argues that applying DRIPA to the electricity sector should allow First Nations to form a First Nations power authority. Such an organization would provide them with control over the development of electricity infrastructure that aligns with their values and would also help B.C. meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets. In the Re-Imagining Social Energy Transitions CoLaboratory (ReSET CoLab) at the University of Victoria, the team analyzed regulatory documents from the B.C. Utilities Commission, and advocacy documents and presentations for discussion developed by the coalition. Six proposed First Nations power authority (Indigenous Utility) models were identified: A capacity building point-of-contact model streamlines the development of renewable electricity projects to sell power to the provincial utility. For example, the First Nations Power Authority in Saskatchewan was formed for this purpose by SaskPower. This would be the most conformative model. It would provide vital networks and connections to First Nations while allowing BC Hydro and the British Columbia Utilities Commission to maintain full control over the electricity sector. In the second model, called a "put" contract, a B.C. First Nations Power Authority represents First Nations wishing to develop renewable electricity projects. Whenever the province needs to build new electricity generation projects to meet growing electricity demand, a portion of the new generation is developed by the First Nations authority. In the third model, First Nations build and operate electricity transmission and distribution lines to allow remote industrial facilities and communities to connect to the electricity grid. This is called "Industrial Interconnection." For example, the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission line in Ontario is a 1,800-kilometre line that provides an electricity grid connection for 17 previously remote nations. Twenty-four First Nations own 51 per cent of the line, while private investors own 49 per cent. In the fourth model, the B.C. First Nation Power Authority acts as the designated body for various opportunities in the electricity sector, such as the development of electricity transmission, distribution, generation or customer services. This model is referred to as "local or regional 'ticket' opportunities." Fifth, the First Nation Power Authority develops renewable electricity projects and distributes electricity from these projects to customers as a retailer, or under an agreement through the BC Hydro electricity grid. For example, Nova Scotia Power's Green Choice program procures renewable electricity from independent power producers to supply to electricity customers. Sixth, new utility is formed in B.C., owned by First Nations, that owns and operates electricity generation, transmission and distribution services and offers standard customer services in a specific region of B.C. (called a "Regional Vertically-Integrated Power Authority"). Most of these models would require changes to regulations. The sixth and most transformative model would provide First Nations with full decision-making control over electricity generation, transmission and distribution. It would also give them the ability to sell to customers and require extensive changes in electricity regulation. First Nations knowledge-holders told us that a lack of reliable power, high electricity rates, lack of control over projects on their traditional lands and the need for resilience in the face of climate events were motivations for taking electricity planning into their own hands. They also expressed that varied factors motivate community interest in renewable energy: improving the quality of life for community members; financial independence; mitigating climate change; protecting the environment; reducing diesel use and providing stable and safe power for current and future generations. First Nations are already seeking to capitalize on the benefits of renewable energy by developing their own projects within the current regulatory system. Most of those we spoke to see a First Nations power authority in B.C. as a means to provide opportunities for economic development without discrimination - and to achieve self-determination, self-reliance and reconciliation by addressing the root causes of some of the colonial injustices they face by obtaining control over the electricity sector on their lands. This article , first published at The Conversation on June 4, was co-authored by David Benton, an adopted member and Clean Energy Project Lead of Gitga'at First Nation and Kayla Klym, a BSc student in Geography at the University of Victoria. Source: The Energy Mix


CTV News
9 hours ago
- CTV News
Duke of Edinburgh to make three stops in Canada, attend Canada Day celebrations
Britain's Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, arrive to attend a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on V-E Day in London, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) FREDERICTON — The Duke of Edinburgh is scheduled to visit Prince Edward Island later this month, just weeks after King Charles opened Parliament and read the throne speech. The Royal Diary says Prince Edward is scheduled to make three stops in Canada. It says he is set to visit Prince Edward Island in his capacity as colonel-in-chief of the Prince Edward Island Regiment, and will attend its 150th anniversary celebrations on June 25. He is scheduled to go to Toronto on June 28, although no details are given about his stop in that city. The Duke of Edinburgh is then set to go to Ottawa where he will attend Canada Day celebrations. Last month, King Charles -- Edward's older brother -- spent a busy two days in Ottawa where the monarch's visit was mostly aimed at reasserting Canada's sovereignty. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025 The Canadian Press