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Toronto Sun
38 minutes ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Chiefs of Ontario say Ottawa acting unfairly in major projects meeting Thursday
Published Jul 16, 2025 • 3 minute read MPs have convened in Ottawa for a weeks-long spring session of the House of Commons Photo by Chris Wattie / Reuters OTTAWA — The Chiefs of Ontario say Ottawa is levelling an unfair playing field for chiefs in a meeting planned with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday to discuss the government's controversial major projects legislation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Carney promised in June that he would meet with First Nations after chiefs said their rights were not respected by the rush to push the bill through Parliament. Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act, allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects like mines, ports and pipelines by sidestepping existing laws. An email was sent to chiefs on July 9 opening up registration for the meeting and the Chiefs of Ontario said it was initially able to register chiefs as well as legal advisers, technical and support staff to attend. But a followup email a few days later confirmed the regional chief's registration but denied the registration requests for all others. 'It's disappointing that technical staff, experts and lawyers from organizations and First Nations who were going to attend this meeting were uninvited after they were allowed to register. They all spent money on travel and accommodations to support chiefs during this critical discussion,' the group representing 133 chiefs in the province said in a statement. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This legislation has the potential to fundamentally change this country and it's unrealistic and unfair that the government has technical staff and lawyers in the room, but chiefs will not have that support.' The organization said it spent tens of thousands of dollars on flights and hotels for staff that now won't be allowed into the meeting. Carney's staff have not yet responded to a request for comment from The Canadian Press. Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Cody Diabo raised similar concerns about the meeting in an interview with The Canadian Press, adding that if Canada uses the meeting to say it has consulted with First Nations, they'll again find themselves at odds with community. 'Canada wants to do what Canada wants to do,' Diabo said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He said he doesn't have much hope for the outcome of the meeting. 'I am going to be pushing to speak at this event and give my stance at it, and I hope for their sake that they don't try to silence me.' Other chiefs at multiple press conferences Wednesday also stressed the government should listen to and address their concerns, rather than talk at them. Ottawa asked First Nations chiefs to submit their questions in advance of the meeting through an online platform by July 16, and gave them the option to vote on which questions will be posed by their peers. The invitation said that process will help highlight 'shared priorities and bring the most pressing issues to the forefront.' The bulk of the questions posted by Tuesday evening dealt with how the government will respect the rights of First Nations. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'How does your government reconcile Bill C-5's goal of 'economic efficiency' with the constitutional duty to consult and accommodate First Nations under section 35,' reads one question, posed by Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Manitoba. 'Is economic streamlining being prioritized over constitutionally protected indigenous rights,' he continued. On Tuesday nine First Nations in Ontario asked a court to declare as unconstitutional both Ottawa's Bill C-5, and Bill 5 in Ontario, a similar provincial law meant to fast-track infrastructure projects. They are seeking an injunction to prevent the governments from using some of the most contentious aspects of the bills. The communities say in the legal challenge filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Tuesday that Bill C-5 and Bill 5 both represent a 'clear and present danger' to the First Nations' self-determination rights to ways of life on their territories. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Celebrity Crime Toronto Maple Leafs Entertainment Editorial Cartoons
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Keir Starmer suspends 3 Labour MPs over discipline breaches
It is understood that the Prime Minister has removed the whip from Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliffe. This means that they will sit in the House of Commons as independents, rather than being affiliated with the party. All three voted against the Government's planned welfare reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all were first elected at last year's election. 🚨 | The Labour Party has suspended the following 3 MPs for "persistent breaches of party discipline" - Brian Leishman (Alloa & Grangemouth) - Chris Hinchcliff (North East Hertfordshire) - Neil Duncan Jordan (Poole) In total, 47 Labour MPs rebelled against the government's proposed cuts to welfare. BBC News reports: "The rebellion undermined Sir Keir's authority, which was weakened after a series of policy reversals, such as restoring the winter fuel allowance to millions of pensioners." The office of Mr Leishman, who represents Alloa and Grangemouth, confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended," the PA News Agency reported. 🚨 BREAKING: Keir Starmer has suspended Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Neil Duncan Jordan for "organising on the welfare rebellion and other insurrection" In a statement, he said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party'. Recommended Reading Starmer immigration plans as he vows to 'take back control' Plans to 'put more money in people's pockets' in bid to boost homeownership Labour's Budget pension changes slammed by expert 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' he added. 'I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. 'I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.'
Observer
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Observer
‘Serious questions' over UK secret Afghan relocations: PM
London: Ministers in the UK's last Conservative government have 'serious questions to answer' over a secret resettlement plan for thousands of Afghans after a data breach endangered their lives, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday. Parliamentary Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said the affair raised significant constitutional issues' after it emerged that the previous government had obtained a court order banning media coverage and preventing any scrutiny by parliament. Thousands of Afghans who worked with the UK and their families have been brought to Britain under the programme following the leak. But the 2022 breach and the resettlement plan to protect those involved from potential repercussions only came to light on Tuesday after a court super-gag was lifted. Defence Minister John Healey told parliament a UK official had accidentally leaked a spreadsheet containing the names and details of almost 19,000 Afghans who had asked to be relocated to Britain. It happened in February 2022, just six months after Taliban fighters seized Kabul, he said. In parliament on Wednesday, Starmer said his government supported the principle of fulfilling 'our obligations to Afghans who served alongside British forces' in the post 9/11 conflict in the South Asian country. Healey had 'set out the full extent of the failings that we inherited: a major data breach, a superinjunction, a secret route that has already cost hundreds of millions of pounds', he added. 'Ministers who served under the party opposite have serious questions to answer about how this was ever allowed to happen,' he said. The nearly two-year-long court ban secured by the previous government prevented any media reporting of the leak. In addition, parliament was not briefed and there was no public knowledge of the resettlement plan and the costs involved. Speaker of Parliament Lindsay Hoyle, who is responsible for the proper administration of the House of Commons, also commented on the affair. 'This episode raises significant constitutional issues. I have therefore asked the clerks to consider whether any lessons need to be learned from this case,' he told lawmakers. Under the Conservatives the secret programme was put in place in April 2024 to help those 'judged to be at the highest risk of reprisals by the Taliban', Healey said told parliament. Some 900 Afghans and 3,600 family members have now been brought to Britain or are in transit under the programme known as the Afghan Response Route, at a cost of around £400 million ($535 million). Applications from 600 more people have also been accepted, bringing the estimated total cost of the scheme to £850 million. They are among some 36,000 Afghans accepted by Britain under different schemes since the August 2021 fall of Kabul. Former defence minister Ben Wallace said he stood by his decision to seek secrecy from the court in August 2023 and rejected claims of a 'cover-up'. — AFP
North Wales Chronicle
4 hours ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Keir Starmer suspends 3 Labour MPs over discipline breaches
It is understood that the Prime Minister has removed the whip from Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliffe. This means that they will sit in the House of Commons as independents, rather than being affiliated with the party. All three voted against the Government's planned welfare reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all were first elected at last year's election. 🚨 | The Labour Party has suspended the following 3 MPs for "persistent breaches of party discipline" - Brian Leishman (Alloa & Grangemouth) - Chris Hinchcliff (North East Hertfordshire) - Neil Duncan Jordan (Poole) In total, 47 Labour MPs rebelled against the government's proposed cuts to welfare. BBC News reports: "The rebellion undermined Sir Keir's authority, which was weakened after a series of policy reversals, such as restoring the winter fuel allowance to millions of pensioners." The office of Mr Leishman, who represents Alloa and Grangemouth, confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended," the PA News Agency reported. 🚨 BREAKING: Keir Starmer has suspended Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Neil Duncan Jordan for "organising on the welfare rebellion and other insurrection" In a statement, he said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party'. Recommended Reading Starmer immigration plans as he vows to 'take back control' Plans to 'put more money in people's pockets' in bid to boost homeownership Labour's Budget pension changes slammed by expert 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' he added. 'I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. 'I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.'
eNCA
4 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
'Serious questions' over UK secret Afghan relocations: PM
Ministers in the UK's last Conservative government have "serious questions to answer" over a secret resettlement plan for thousands of Afghans after a data breach endangered their lives, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday. Parliamentary Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said the affair raised significant constitutional issues" after it emerged that the previous government had obtained a court order banning media coverage and preventing any scrutiny by parliament. Thousands of Afghans who worked with the UK and their families have been brought to Britain under the programme following the leak. But the 2022 breach and the resettlement plan to protect those involved from potential repercussions only came to light on Tuesday after a court super-gag was lifted. Defence Minister John Healey told parliament a UK official had accidentally leaked a spreadsheet containing the names and details of almost 19,000 Afghans who had asked to be relocated to Britain. It happened in February 2022, just six months after Taliban fighters seized Kabul, he said. In parliament Wednesday, Starmer said his government supported the principle of fulfilling "our obligations to Afghans who served alongside British forces" in the post 9/11 conflict in the South Asian country. Healey had "set out the full extent of the failings that we inherited: a major data breach, a superinjunction, a secret route that has already cost hundreds of millions of pounds", he added. "Ministers who served under the party opposite have serious questions to answer about how this was ever allowed to happen," he said. - Kept from parliament - The nearly two-year-long court ban secured by the previous government prevented any media reporting of the leak. In addition, parliament was not briefed and there was no public knowledge of the resettlement plan and the costs involved. Speaker of Parliament Lindsay Hoyle, who is responsible for the proper administration of the House of Commons, also commented on the affair. "This episode raises significant constitutional issues. I have therefore asked the clerks to consider whether any lessons need to be learned from this case," he told lawmakers. Under the Conservatives the secret programme was put in place in April 2024 to help those "judged to be at the highest risk of reprisals by the Taliban", Healey said told parliament. Some 900 Afghans and 3,600 family members have now been brought to Britain or are in transit under the programme known as the Afghan Response Route, at a cost of around £400 million ($535 million). Applications from 600 more people have also been accepted, bringing the estimated total cost of the scheme to £850 million. They are among some 36,000 Afghans accepted by Britain under different schemes since the August 2021 fall of Kabul. - 'No cover-up' - Former defence minister Ben Wallace said he stood by his decision to seek secrecy from the court in August 2023 and rejected claims of a "cover-up". "I make no apology for applying to the court for an injunction at the time," he said. "If this leak was reported at the time, the existence of the list would put in peril those we needed to help," he told BBC radio. When Labour came to power in July 2024, the scheme was up and running but Healey said he had been "deeply uncomfortable to be constrained from reporting" it to parliament.
