Latest news with #IndigenousLoanGuaranteeProgram
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) acknowledges the 2025 Speech from the Throne
OTTAWA, Ontario, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is encouraged by the 2025 Speech from the Throne, delivered by His Majesty King Charles III on May 27, 2025. We appreciate the affirmation of the enduring relationship between the Crown and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. The NAFC stands ready to be a strong national partner to assist the government to achieve its stated commitments to advancing Reconciliation, constitutional obligations to Indigenous peoples, and the advancement of Indigenous economic projects. "We appreciate the government's focus on advancing reconciliation through investments and commitments, and we are ready to help advance specific strategies for urban Indigenous people" said Jocelyn Formsma, Chief Executive Officer of the NAFC. "Urban Indigenous communities face unique challenges, and it's crucial that policies and programs are designed with these specific commitments such as tackling the negative impacts of climate change, upholding constitutional protections for Indigenous rights, and advancing and uplifting Indigenous languages.' "We look forward to collaborating with the government to ensure these commitments translate into tangible outcomes for urban Indigenous peoples. As the government moves forward with its agenda, the NAFC stands ready to engage in meaningful dialogue and partnership to ensure that urban Indigenous voices are heard and their needs addressed.' The Speech highlighted the Government of Canada's commitment to advancing reconciliation and building stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities. Key highlights included the expansion of the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, doubling its capacity from $10 billion to support economic partnerships that foster long-term wealth and prosperity. The government also reaffirmed its dedication to addressing the urgent challenges of climate change. Additionally, it emphasized the constitutional duty to uphold the legal right of Indigenous Peoples to free, prior, and informed consent. Finally, the government expressed its ongoing commitment to respecting and promoting Indigenous languages across Canada. FOR MEDIA INQUIRES: John Paillé Senior Communications Coordinator jpaille@ For over 50 years, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), a network of over 100 Friendship Centres across Canada, has provided culturally appropriate services to urban Indigenous communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Friendship Centres are the most significant Indigenous civil society movement in Canada. We are vital community hubs that are owned and operated by First Nations, Inuit and Métis in urban communities across Canada, from major cities to small and remote communities, we provide culturally relevant community supports, including employment and training, child-care and children's programs, culture and language, shelter, health, support, and development programs and in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Observer
16-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
A 'foot in the door': BC First Nations buy into Enbridge pipeline
For decades, a natural gas pipeline has cut through the territories of dozens of First Nations in BC — moving billions of dollars' worth of gas with zero ownership and little return to the communities. Now, 36 First Nations have bought in. 'For decades, the nations have watched resources leave their communities with very minimal benefit,' said Justin Napoleon, from Saulteau First Nation and director of Stonlasec8, a newly formed, Indigenous-owned, limited partnership made up of 36 First Nations in BC, including Treaty 8 members. In a landmark deal announced today, Stonlasec8 revealed its plan to invest approximately $715 million to acquire a 12.5 per cent ownership in Enbridge Inc.'s Westcoast natural gas pipeline system that stretches from BC's remote northeast to the US-Canada border. 'Now, they get to see development in a new light — as something they actually own, a piece that's truly part of theirs," Napoleon said. The deal gives Indigenous communities along the pipeline a direct financial stake in infrastructure on their traditional lands. 'Enbridge brought the opportunity to us,' said David Jimmie, chief of Squiala First Nation and president and chair of Stonlasec8. 'I think it signals through industry, and across the country, that these partnerships can be successful — and they can be done.' 'Enbridge brought the opportunity to us,' said David Jimmie, president and chair of Stonlasec8. 'I think it signals through industry, and across the country, that these partnerships can be successful — and they can be done.' A significant step was securing a $400-million loan guarantee from the federal government through an initiative launched in December 2024. This makes the Stonlasec8 investment the first major project supported by the $10-billion federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program. The government program 'opens up doors for the nations to access capital and take that step towards economic self-determination,' Napoleon said. The Westcoast pipeline transports up to 3.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily along a 2,900-kilometre route, supplying BC, Alberta, and the US Pacific Northwest. Through this partnership, Indigenous communities shift from stakeholders to shareholders, gaining a role in co-governing infrastructure on their lands, Jimmie said. The financial returns from the Westcoast pipeline are slated to be distributed equally among the First Nations in the Stonlasec8 consortium. Each nation will then decide how those funds will be invested in their communities. 'My hope is it's predictable, long-term, recurring revenue that you can plan around ... You can build that into your community planning as needed, and it's a reliable source of income,' Napoleon said. A step forward, with limits Historically, BC First Nations have faced major financial barriers to resource project ownership. A decade ago, 16 nations in BC were denied a commercial-rate loan for the Pacific Trail Pipeline and settled for a buyout instead of equity. To Indigenous leaders, this new agreement signals progress, but also exposes the complexities of participation in resource development. They acknowledge the tension: financial participation brings opportunity, but also binds nations to the risks and responsibilities of fossil fuel infrastructure. While Stonlasec8's 12.5 per cent stake marks a significant shift from previous exclusion, it does not translate to a controlling voice on how the pipeline is run or how environmental risks are managed. 'We don't have that power. At 12.5 per cent interest, you're not going to be a major decision-maker in this — but it gets your foot in the door, and you're able to have the conversation, which we couldn't do before,' Jimmie said. Jimmie said Enbridge and other companies must still adhere to regulatory processes, engage with First Nations, and share environmental assessment findings. 'We still do wear the other hat as rights- and title-holders in the territory,' he said. John Desjarlais, executive director of the Indigenous Resource Network, an organization that advocates for Indigenous participation and leadership in resource development, said he is thrilled about the partnership. 'There's a lot of good components that could mobilize a good, meaningful development, and shape the policy that we're going to see into the future,' Desjarlais said. But he warns that these are not mere stakeholder roles but business partnerships, separate from government obligations of consent or consultation — which means the legal and financial risks rest heavily on the Indigenous partners. 'It's interesting — we talk about oil spills, but now we'd be talking about a nation spilling oil on its own nation, or other nations … affecting its rights and other rights,' Desjarlais said. He said Indigenous nations will need to prepare for the possibility of managing crises that affect their own lands and neighbouring rights, in addition to ongoing community challenges, including housing, education and mental health crises. Jimmie said discussions around potentially growing Stonlasec8's stake hadn't occurred — but if there's an opportunity, First Nations would be open to it.
Winnipeg Free Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Congrats, Carney — now keep your promises: Winnipeg biz community
Political and business leaders in Manitoba congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney for his election win, then put his government on notice to keep its promises and boost the economy. 'If there's going to be a Team Canada approach, we have to make sure First Nations are at the table,' Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said Tuesday after congratulating Carney. First Nations need to be involved in negotiating international trade and 'nation-building' projects that Carney has promised, said the chief who was born and raised in Pinaymootang First Nation. One of the promises the new prime minister made on the campaign trail was to double the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program from $5 billion to $10 billion to make it easier for more communities to have a greater share in the benefits of major resource, transportation, and trade projects. JUSTIN TANG / THE CANADIAN PRESS Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney passes journalists this morning as he arrives at the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council in Ottawa after the Liberal Party won the Canadian federal election. JUSTIN TANG / THE CANADIAN PRESS Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney passes journalists this morning as he arrives at the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council in Ottawa after the Liberal Party won the Canadian federal election. Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said having a Liberal government return to office is an opportunity to make progress on developing housing in the city, and the massive upgrade to the north end sewage treatment plant. The mayor said Carney has committed to maintaining the housing accelerator fund agreement that's been 'very important to the City of Winnipeg to incentivize some key developments of residential units where we need residential housing.' Gillingham also congratulated Winnipeg South Liberal Terry Duguid on his re-election, saying the MP worked closely with the city on funding for the $3-billion sewage plant upgrade. 'We're looking forward to continuing our conversation and efforts to find a funding mechanism and sources for that project.' Gillingham said he wants Carney to get rid of U.S. tariffs or reduce them to protect jobs and to promote interprovincial trade that presents opportunities for Winnipeg. 'We're at the centre, geographically, of our nation,' Gillingham said. 'So much trade does and will continue to flow east to west through Winnipeg as we move product to market across our nation — it's running right through our city. We continue as a city and as a province to play a key role in Canada's economy.' The federal government needs to get the provinces to the table and agree to remove trade barriers, echoed Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president Loren Remillard. 'In today's day and age it seems really counterproductive, as we're struggling internationally with relations and some of the economic challenges associated with that, that we have these artificial barriers to our own economic well-being within Canada,' Remillard said. 'These are the things that are within our own control.' Remillard said increased productivity in the business community and public sector is needed to navigate the trade waters, noting the use of artificial intelligence would be key. The provincial director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business agreed that removing trade barriers is crucial to Canada's economy. 'Manitoba's small businesses are looking to the new government to follow through on its campaign promises, particularly around dropping the increase in the capital gains inclusion rate, removing the consumer carbon tax and knocking down interprovincial trade barriers,' said Brianna Solberg. 'So far, only three provinces — Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island — have introduced legislation to remove internal trade barriers on a reciprocal basis,' she said. That's set the stage for a freer trade zone among those three provinces. 'Manitoba's inaction on this means local businesses and workers will miss out on improved access to new Canadian markets,' Solberg said. Premier Wab Kinew was not available for an interview on Tuesday but took to social media to congratulate Carney, posting a photo of the two of them in the premier's office. 'We look forward to building up this country with you.' Kinew later posted a goodbye to NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who announced he would step down after his party's poor election showing. 'Tough day for New Democrats across the country. Thank you, Jagmeet Singh, for your years of service and for standing up for working people. You led with the values we both share: fairness, justice, and compassion,' Kinew wrote. Newly elected Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan was also unavailable for an interview but issued a statement congratulating Carney and all who ran for office, while thanking those who took the time to vote. He said his focus is on holding Kinew and the NDP to account and ensuring access to quality and timely health care, making communities safer, life more affordable and Manitoba's economy stronger. — with files from Joyanne Pursaga and Gabrielle Piché Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Associated Press
21-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Readout - Prime Minister Carney meets with the leaders of the National Indigenous Organizations
OTTAWA, ON, March 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Prime Minister Carney met with the leaders of the three National Indigenous Organizations: the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Natan Obed, and the President of the Métis National Council, Victoria Pruden. During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared his vision for building one strong Canadian economy – the strongest in the G7, built in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. The Prime Minister and the federal government will embed meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous communities, ensuring that their leadership and perspectives are integral to building a thriving, inclusive economy. The Prime Minister emphasized that the federal government will seek partnership and input from Indigenous leaders on how to build our economy together, including opportunities for Indigenous participation in major projects and respect for Indigenous rights. Prime Minister Carney highlighted that the Government of Canada will be doubling the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program from $5 billion to $10 billion and opening it to sectors outside of energy and natural resources to support more Indigenous-led infrastructure, transportation, and trade projects across the country. This will ensure that rights-holders are a part of Canada's accelerated push to build. Prime Minister Carney reiterated his commitment to advancing reconciliation, upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and taking a distinctions-based approach with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Prime Minister Carney thanked National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak, President Obed, and President Pruden for agreeing to meet on short notice. The leaders agreed to continue working together.
