Latest news with #AlgonquinAnishinabeg
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Some First Nations worry Carney's major projects bill will only lead to more conflict
Social Sharing Some First Nations are raising concerns about the federal government's plan to provide up-front approvals for major projects, with one grand chief calling it a "fool's errand." Through interviews and letters CBC News obtained, First Nations are raising red flags with the Liberal government's plans to fast-track what it calls projects in the national interest. The government is still consulting with Indigenous communities, premiers and industry, but is expected to table "one Canadian economy" legislation as early as next week. "While you can legislate to fast-track regulation, you cannot fast-track the Crown's duties or fast-track Indigenous acceptance," states Savanna McGregor, Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council in a letter to the Privy Council Office (PCO). "Trying to do so is a fool's errand because it would lead to more, not less, potential conflict, including preclusive litigation." CBC News contacted the PCO on Friday evening for a request for comment about McGregor's concerns, but did not receive a response by publication time. McGregor represents seven nations in Quebec and Ontario. The PCO is the lead branch of the civil service providing support to Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet. The office has been sending letters to Indigenous leaders, asking for feedback on proposed legislation that would fast-track major projects, such as ports, nuclear facilities and mines. CBC News obtained a document shared with First Nations that states Carney's government intends to "facilitate the identification of projects" that are in the national interest, "provide certainty through up-front regulatory approvals" and establish a "major projects office." WATCH | Carney on his government's priorities: Carney talks U.S. relations, his government's ambitions in exclusive interview | Power & Politics 3 days ago Duration 21:01 Prime Minister Mark Carney sat down for a wide-ranging one-on-one interview with CBC's Power & Politics host David Cochrane on Tuesday. Carney addressed Canada's current relationship with the U.S. along with the challenges ahead for his new government, including housing affordability and separatist sentiment in Alberta. The letter gave First Nations a week to comment on the briefing note, which spells out how the proposed legislation would work. Friday was the deadline to comment. "Obviously, it is quite concerning," said Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi in an interview with CBC News. "There's not much time to react and strategize." Treaty 8 is the largest treaty by area and encompasses parts of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia and northwest Saskatchewan. Many of its sovereign nations are in the heart of Canada's oilpatch or live with its direct environmental impacts. Mercredi said that when governments talk about removing the red tape and other barriers that slow down the approval of projects, First Nations like his worry Indigenous rights will be pushed aside. "We're wondering which direction it's going to go," Mercredi said. He said one place this could end up is in court. Poilievre says he'll support Carney's expected project-approval bill if it 'gets things done quickly' 6 hours ago Duration 2:02 Groups backed by industry, however, are looking favourably at the government's proposal. Although they still need to see the legislation, some believe the Liberal government seems to be moving in the right direction. The head of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, which counts fossil fuel companies as its members, said it would mark a "positive step." "We've heard the same frustration from business leaders across Canada, specifically in Alberta, about how we're falling behind globally on attracting capital, and this legislation could greatly help reverse that trend if it's enacted in a timely manner," said Shauna Feth, CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, in an interview with the CBC's The House. However, liquefied natural gas advocacy group Energy for a Secure Future questions whether Ottawa is picking winners and losers. The group's head suggested that the Liberal government should consider specific sectors it wants to see projects in, such as critical mineral mines, rather than favouring specific projects. "So I think the government in signalling in that way can achieve its similar goals without putting the spotlight on any specific projects, and I think that will attract more projects," said Shannon Joseph, the chair of Energy for a Secure Future.
Ottawa Citizen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Nussbaum: Kìwekì Point, now reborn, connects us to the land and to one another
Article content Last week, the NCC opened Kìwekì Point, a site with views on places and buildings that has been at the centre of history, exploration, conflict, political development and now movement towards reconciliation of our three founding nations. Article content Article content Kìwekì Point also stands close to the confluence of the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Rideau Rivers – a landscape both beautiful and deeply symbolic – that have long brought people together. They were ancient trade routes, sites of diplomacy, and gathering places for the Algonquin Anishinabeg and neighbouring nations. Article content Article content On these shores, early encounters between Indigenous peoples and newcomers took place – encounters that forever changed the history of this land and the later founding of Canada. Article content One such moment occurred in 1613, when Samuel de Champlain, founder of New France, journeyed up the Ottawa River. Then, the Algonquin population in this expansive territory was estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 people. Champlain's journals recorded not only his travels but also his meetings with Indigenous leaders, including the formidable Chief Tessouat of the Kitchisipirini, (meaning 'People of the Great River'), who Champlain had met in 1603 in Tadoussac but had not seen in the intervening 10 years. Article content Tessouat commanded significant influence in the region. His community, based near present-day Pembroke on Morrison's Island, controlled a vital stretch of the Ottawa River. Trade and travel moved through his territory and tolls were enforced as a demonstration of sovereignty. Article content Article content But Tessouat was not only a political leader. He defended culture and identity against growing outside pressure. Tessouat stood firm against Jesuit missionaries, warning that widespread conversion could erode Algonquin tradition, land and way of life. His resistance was not simply about religion. He safeguarded a worldview rooted in relationship with this land. We reimagine Kìwekì Point with that same spirit of protection, presence, and pride. It's not just a geographic marker. It attests to the resilience of the Algonquin Nation and pays tribute to the enduring connection between people and place reflected in the relationship between Champlain and Tessouat, which had its moment of tension but ended with respect and friendship. Article content But correcting this site's symbolism has taken over 100 years. In 1915, a statue, build by Hamilton MacCarthy, was unveiled to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Champlain's expedition past this point on the Ottawa River. Originally, the monument was to include a figure of an Anishinabe guide in a canoe, acknowledging the indispensable role Indigenous peoples played in Champlain's travels. Unfortunately, that component was delayed and, when added in 1918, the scout appeared kneeling, without the canoe and positioned beneath, not alongside, Champlain.
CBC
20-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Kìwekì Point river lookout 'invites reflection, connection and renewal'
The National Capital Commission officially reopened Kìwekì Point and a new bridge connecting it with Major's Hill Park. The design highlights Algonquin Anishinabeg voices.
