Latest news with #ApplicantFirstNations'
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
First Nations challenge Canada's fast-track laws in constitutional fight
TORONTO: A group of Canada's First Nations has launched a constitutional challenge to recently passed laws that would fast-track approval of infrastructure projects like mines and oil pipelines, arguing the measures violate the government's obligations to Indigenous people. The two new laws -- one in the province of Ontario and one at the federal level -- 'represent a clear and present danger to the Applicant First Nations' self-determination rights' and violate the government's obligation to reconcile with Indigenous peoples, according to a notice filed in Ontario Superior Court on Monday. The nine First Nations involved in the lawsuit are located across Ontario and comprise Alderville First Nation, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Wabauskang First Nation. Parliament passed the federal legislation speedily late last month. It would let the government select infrastructure and resource projects in the 'national interest' and then decide whether some laws apply to them. Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney aims for the law to fulfill a campaign promise to speed up approvals of what he calls nation-building projects, including mines and oil pipelines. The Ontario law, passed in early June, allows the government to declare 'special economic zones' that make some projects exempt from other provincial laws. Environmentalists oppose both laws, saying they sidestep legislation meant to mitigate ecological harms while Indigenous groups argue they run roughshod over their rights to self-determination and the government's duty to consult. The national law lets Canada 'unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful engagement with First Nations,' the court filing reads. Canada is committed to upholding its commitments and obligations to Indigenous peoples, a spokesperson for Canada's Privy Council Office wrote in an email, adding that Carney will meet with First Nations, Inuit and Metis in coming weeks. 'Canada's goal is to pursue projects in the national interest in partnership with Indigenous Peoples,' the email said. 'Indigenous equity participation in major projects is a central focus of this initiative.' The Ontario government said it has begun talks with First Nations aligned with its economic development goals and will continue consultations this summer. - Reuters
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Canada's First Nations challenge fast-track laws
A group of Canada's First Nations has launched a constitutional challenge to recently passed laws that would fast-track approval of infrastructure projects like mines and oil pipelines, arguing the measures violate the government's obligations to Indigenous people. The two new laws - one in the province of Ontario and one at the federal level - 'represent a clear and present danger to the Applicant First Nations' self-determination rights" and violate the government's obligation to reconcile with Indigenous peoples, according to a notice filed in Ontario Superior Court on Monday. The nine First Nations involved in the lawsuit are located across Ontario and comprise Alderville First Nation, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Wabauskang First Nation. Parliament passed the federal legislation speedily late last month. It would let the government select infrastructure and resource projects in the "national interest' and then decide whether some laws apply to them. Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney aims for the law to fulfil a campaign promise to speed up approvals of what he calls nation-building projects, including mines and oil pipelines. The Ontario law, passed in early June, allows the government to declare "special economic zones" that make some projects exempt from other provincial laws. Environmentalists oppose both laws, saying they sidestep legislation meant to mitigate ecological harms while Indigenous groups argue they run roughshod over their rights to self-determination and the government's duty to consult. The national law lets Canada 'unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful engagement with First Nations,' the court filing reads. Canada is committed to upholding its commitments and obligations to Indigenous peoples, a spokesperson for Canada's Privy Council Office wrote in an email, adding that Carney will meet with First Nations, Inuit and Metis in coming weeks. "Canada's goal is to pursue projects in the national interest in partnership with Indigenous Peoples," the email said. "Indigenous equity participation in major projects is a central focus of this initiative." The Ontario government said it has begun talks with First Nations aligned with its economic development goals and will continue consultations this northern hemisphere summer.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Canada's First Nations launch constitutional challenge of legislation
Find out what's new on ST website and app. General view of the Peace Tower over Centre Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada September 17, 2020. REUTERS/Blair Gable/File Photo TORONTO - A group of Canada's First Nations has launched a constitutional challenge to recently passed laws that would fast-track approval of infrastructure projects like mines and oil pipelines, arguing the measures violate the government's obligations to Indigenous people. The two new laws -- one in the province of Ontario and one at the federal level -- 'represent a clear and present danger to the Applicant First Nations' self-determination rights" and violate the government's obligation to reconcile with Indigenous peoples, according to a notice filed in Ontario Superior Court on Monday. The nine First Nations involved in the lawsuit are located across Ontario and comprise Alderville First Nation, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Wabauskang First Nation. Parliament passed the federal legislation speedily late last month. It would let the government select infrastructure and resource projects in the "national interest' and then decide whether some laws apply to them. Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney aims for the law to fulfill a campaign promise to speed up approvals of what he calls nation-building projects, including mines and oil pipelines. The Ontario law, passed in early June, allows the government to declare "special economic zones" that make some projects exempt from other provincial laws. Environmentalists oppose both laws, saying they sidestep legislation meant to mitigate ecological harms while Indigenous groups argue they run roughshod over their rights to self-determination and the government's duty to consult. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business US tariffs may last well after Trump; crucial for countries to deepen trade ties: SM Lee World Trump says Indonesia to face 19% tariff under trade deal Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Multimedia Telling the Singapore story for 180 years Life Walking for exercise? Here are tips on how to do it properly Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years The national law lets Canada 'unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful engagement with First Nations,' the court filing reads. Canada is committed to upholding its commitments and obligations to Indigenous peoples, a spokesperson for Canada's Privy Council Office wrote in an email, adding that Carney will meet with First Nations, Inuit and Metis in coming weeks. "Canada's goal is to pursue projects in the national interest in partnership with Indigenous Peoples," the email said. "Indigenous equity participation in major projects is a central focus of this initiative." The Ontario government said it has begun talks with First Nations aligned with its economic development goals and will continue consultations this summer. REUTERS
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Nine Canadian First Nations launch constitutional challenge of major-projects legislation
General view of the Peace Tower over Centre Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada September 17, 2020. REUTERS/Blair Gable/File Photo TORONTO (Reuters) -Nine First Nations have launched a constitutional challenge of recently passed legislation meant to fast-track major projects, arguing they violate the government's constitutional obligations to First Nations. The two new laws 'represent a clear and present danger to the Applicant First Nations' self-determination rights" and violate the government's obligation to reconcile with First Nations, according to a notice of application filed in Ontario Superior Court on Monday. The nations represented included Alderville First Nation, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Wabauskang First Nation. The federal law, passed speedily late last month, would let the government select projects in the "national interest' and then decide whether some laws apply to them. With the law, Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to fulfill a campaign promise to speed up approvals of what he calls nation-building projects, potentially, including mines and oil pipelines. The Ontario law, passed in early June, allows the government to declare "special economic zones" that make some projects exempt from other provincial laws. Both laws have earned the ire of environmentalists, who say they elide legislation meant to mitigate ecological harms, and Indigenous groups who argue they run roughshod over their rights to self-determination and the government's duty to consult. The national law lets Canada 'unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful engagement with First Nations,' the court filing reads. Spokespersons for the Canadian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. A spokesperson for Ontario's Premier said the provincial government will continue to build consensus with First Nations on shared priorities. "We have begun productive conversations with First Nations who share our vision of unlocking economic opportunity and critical infrastructure in their community and will continue these consultations throughout the summer," they wrote in an email. (Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Nine Canadian First Nations launch constitutional challenge of major-projects legislation
Find out what's new on ST website and app. TORONTO - Nine First Nations have launched a constitutional challenge of recently passed legislation meant to fast-track major projects, arguing they violate the government's constitutional obligations to First Nations. The two new laws 'represent a clear and present danger to the Applicant First Nations' self-determination rights" and violate the government's obligation to reconcile with First Nations, according to a notice of application filed in Ontario Superior Court on Monday. The nations represented included Alderville First Nation, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Wabauskang First Nation. The federal law, passed speedily late last month, would let the government select projects in the "national interest' and then decide whether some laws apply to them. With the law, Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to fulfill a campaign promise to speed up approvals of what he calls nation-building projects, potentially, including mines and oil pipelines. The Ontario law, passed in early June, allows the government to declare "special economic zones" that make some projects exempt from other provincial laws. Both laws have earned the ire of environmentalists, who say they elide legislation meant to mitigate ecological harms, and Indigenous groups who argue they run roughshod over their rights to self-determination and the government's duty to consult. The national law lets Canada 'unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful engagement with First Nations,' the court filing reads. Spokespersons for the Canadian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. A spokesperson for Ontario's Premier said the provincial government will continue to build consensus with First Nations on shared priorities. "We have begun productive conversations with First Nations who share our vision of unlocking economic opportunity and critical infrastructure in their community and will continue these consultations throughout the summer," they wrote in an email. REUTERS
