Artists push back after Canadian Taxpayers Federation calls for end to Sask. public arts funding
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CBC
3 minutes ago
- CBC
Manitoba Métis Federation boycotts PM's summit on major projects law
Manitoba Métis leaders announced Wednesday they intend to boycott this week's summit with Prime Minister Mark Carney because the Liberal government is including the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). Other Métis groups are also expressing concerns about the process after confirming they weren't invited to Thursday's meeting in Ottawa to discuss the federal government's recently passed law to fast-track major projects. It's the last of three summits called this summer to ease Indigenous Peoples' concerns about the law, known as bill C-5, yet it's unclear how many people will even be there. "We will not be attending that summit," Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand said at a news conference inside the Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa on Wednesday morning. Flanked by his cabinet, Chartrand told reporters he considers MNO a "fraudulent" organization with which Manitoba leaders can't share a table. "To the prime minister, the door is open. If you want to come and sit down with my cabinet in a government-to-government relationship, we will meet," he said. "But if you want to insult us, then we'll see each other in a different political realm in the future. So unfortunately, it's a sad day for us. Truly." In an interview earlier Wednesday, an MNO spokesperson pointed to the group's signed self-government agreement with Canada, brushing off any concerns from Manitoba. "We're here to talk about our serious concerns about C-5 and our serious concerns about Canada's position globally," said Mitch Case, MNO provincial secretary for Métis rights, intergovernmental relations and communications. In 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized the existence of a rights-bearing Métis community in and around Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. At issue, however, are six "new historic" Métis communities MNO and the Ontario government jointly recognized in 2017. First Nations in Ontario contest the communities' legitimacy and MMF, the federally recognized government for the Red River Métis, withdrew from the Métis National Council in 2021 over the dispute. Case said it would be indefensible for Canada to exclude the Ontario Métis, adding that the goal should be finding a collaborative way to address the United States' economic threats while protecting the environment and respecting Indigenous rights. "That's the conversation we're here to have. If people want to try to distract from that conversation with their own political goals, well, that's up to them. But we're here to do important work," he said. Not all Métis invited Chartrand indicated Canada invited the four Métis groups that have signed self-government agreements: Otipemisiwak Métis Government (OMG) in Alberta, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, MMF and MNO. But there are some communities, like Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation in northern Alberta, that don't belong to any provincial body. An official with that community said this process is "not proper consultation," as the Fort Chipewyan Métis aren't represented by OMG. "It goes against reconciliation, and the process appears to be flawed right out of the gate," said Carmen Wells, lands and regulatory director for the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation. Wells said the community chooses to have its own voice because it's situated at "ground zero," in a region most impacted by industrial development in Canada — the oilsands. "We also expect not to be left out of those conversations, as we are our own sovereign nation with constitutionally protected rights," said Fort Chipewyan Metis Nation President Kendrick Cardinal in a statement. Up until recently the Métis National Council had five members, but the MMF's exit was followed by the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) in 2024. Chartrand said the national council shouldn't be included at the summit, even as an observer. The B.C. group wasn't invited to participate in Carney's summit except as an observer, MNBC President Walter Mineault told CBC Indigenous. He said MNBC is still an important stakeholder that deserves to be at the table even if it lacks a formal self-government agreement. "It's very disrespectful to our nation here in B.C. and our government, and it should not happen," he said. "We are very concerned about these issues as well going forward." Back in Ottawa, Otipemisiwak Métis Government President Andrea Sandmaier focused on the meeting itself, calling it as a chance to ensure Métis voices are heard. "I believe that it's possible for the Crown and our nation to prosper together. We're not here to hold up or block progress," she said. "We're here to help shape a future where economic growth, environmental protection and Indigenous rights advance together, and I think that we have a really good opportunity to make that happen." Chartrand said he would not consider withdrawing the MMF's support for C-5, but he did offer Carney a heated warning against "back stabbing" the Red River Métis and ignoring their rights.
CTV News
32 minutes ago
- CTV News
Toronto's El Mocambo will continue as concert venue: new owner
Our Lady Peace play to a packed crowd as they mark the re-opening of the iconic Toronto music venue The El Mocambo on Saturday, October 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young A spokesperson for the new owner of the El Mocambo says concerts will continue to be held at the storied Toronto music venue after former owner Michael Wekerle defaulted on nearly $56 million in loans tied to the property. In an interview with CTV News Toronto on Wednesday, the director of operations for the company that bought the 77-year-old club says it will be 'nothing too different' from its current iteration. 'The intent is to do it better. To manage operations with a little bit more rigor,' Neil Kerr said on behalf of Cyrus Madon, a longtime executive at Brookfield Asset Management, whose purchase of the venue's assets was approved by an Ontario court on Tuesday. 'Cyrus, he's pretty passionate about music, it's a passion that he's probably had for 50 years… He and his wife are strong supporters of Canadian musicians and charities. There are certainly going to be some charitable functions that are held at the venue as well. I think it's a very, very positive story.' Kerr did not disclose the purchase price of the property. The sale is expected to close in the coming weeks. Wekerele, who became a household name after his time as a star on CBC's 'Dragons' Den,' bought the El Mocambo in 2014 for $3.8 million and spent $35 million to improve the space. The businessman's passion project officially reopened in 2021 after a to-the-studs renovation and delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Court documents filed earlier this year showed Wekerle had defaulted on nearly $56 million in loans linked to the space. A spokesperson for the El Mocambo told The Canadian Press that Wekerle is not involved in the deal to sell the property. In a statement to The Canadian Press, Wekerle called the sale of the venue 'very important' to its future. 'I endorsed the purchaser and feel he is like-minded and will preserve the integrity of the El Mo,' he said. The small, two-storey concert venue fell into financial trouble in the 90s and early 2000s after playing host to legendary acts like The Rolling Stones and U2 in the 70s and 80s. After closing and re-opening under a number of owners, it finally shuttered. It's unclear when the venue will reopen under the new ownership. With files from The Canadian Press
CTV News
44 minutes ago
- CTV News
First Valley Line West Light Rail Vehicle arrives in Edmonton
The Valley Line West's newest Light Rail Vehicle is seen arriving at the Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility in southeast Edmonton. (Supplied) With construction on the Valley Line West LRT well underway, the city has welcomed the first Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) that will run on the line when it opens sometime after construction is expected to wrap up in 2028. A news release from the city said the LRV was shipped in two sections from Hyundai Rotem Company's facility in Changwon, South Korea, on a roll-on/roll-off ship designed to carry wheeled vehicles. The ship crossed the Pacific Ocean and arrived at the Port of Tacoma, Wash., on July 20 before being transported by truck to the Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility in southeast Edmonton. LRT Edmonton's newest Light Rail Vehicle is seen being loaded onto a roll-on/roll-off ship designed to carry wheeled vehicles in Changwon, South Korea. (Supplied) 'The arrival of the first LRV is more than just a milestone; it's a sign of momentum for the Valley Line West. Watching this train roll into Edmonton is a proud moment for our team and for the city,' said Brian Latte, director of the Valley Line West with the City of Edmonton. 'This LRV is a part of where we're headed as a city. As Edmonton grows towards two million people, Valley Line West will change how we move, how we build, and how we connect with one another.' There are currently 16 LRVs at various stages of manufacturing in South Korea. Hyundai Rotem will be supplying the city with a total of 46 Valley Line West LRVs which will complement the current fleet of 26 LRVs operating on the Valley Line Southeast. The two sets of LRVs are designed to be fully compatible with the 27-kilometre line. 'We're proud to see the first LRV arrive safely in Edmonton. From initial design, to manufacturing and testing in Korea, to final delivery, this vehicle represents years of collaboration and a shared commitment to delivering a high-quality transit vehicle,' said Chiseung Kim, project manager of the Valley Line West with Hyundai Rotem Company. Edmontonians participated in user testing, interacting with a full-scale mock-up of the LRV in 2023 which shaped the final design. The vehicles will undergo testing and commissioning on the Valley Line Southeast tracks at a later time with measures in place to ensure existing passenger service is not impacted.
