Latest news with #IndigenousPartnerships
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Politics Insider: Indigenous interests will be considered in major infrastructure projects, Carney says
Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let's look at what happened today. Mark Carney came out of a meeting with premiers and territorial leaders today, saying Indigenous interests will be considered in the development of major infrastructure projects deemed a national priority. 'All first ministers agree that Indigenous partnerships and equity will be central to success,' the Prime Minister said at news conference held to mark the end of the meeting in Saskatoon today. 'Upcoming federal legislation will mandate both meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples, both during the process of determining which projects are in the national interest and developing the conditions for each project.' Carney said discussions about nation-building projects and the federal approach to supporting such initiatives took up much of the talks behind closed doors today. The litmus test for designating projects as being in the national interest is whether they strengthen the Canadian economy, autonomy, resilience and security; provide undeniable benefits to Canada; and have a likelihood of successful execution. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who has been critical of the policies of the Liberal government under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, said the meeting was very positive, but further talks are required. 'There's much discussion – and work - that is going to happen post today's meeting,' he told a concluding news conference. Please check The Globe and Mail for updates on today's meeting. Elsewhere, former prime minister Stephen Harper says Canada needs to mend relations with India because the democracy of 1.4 billion is a necessary partner in an increasingly chaotic world. Steven Chase also reports that the Conservative prime minister between 2006 and 2015 urged all Canadian political parties to shun the Khalistan movement, which seeks to carve a separate state for Sikhs out of India. Relations between Canada and India went into a deep freeze in September, 2023 when then-prime minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused New Delhi of playing a role in the gangland slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan advocate. Harper made his comments Saturday in Toronto after receiving an award from a group that promotes trade with India. Algoma Steel CEO says 50% tariffs threaten viability in the U.S: Michael Garcia says the existing tariff has already caused the percentage of Algoma's revenue coming from the U.S. to fall to 50 per cent from as high as 65 per cent, and a doubled tariff may grind U.S. business to a halt entirely. PM selects former UN ambassador as chief of staff: Marc-André Blanchard, a prominent Quebec lawyer widely respected for his competence and level-headed judgment served as Canada's ambassador to the UN from 2016 to 2020. Bank of Canada expected to remain on pause after strong economic data: Financial market odds of a rate cut to the bank's key interest rate dipped slightly after Statistics Canada's gross domestic product report showed the economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.2 per cent in the first quarter. Ottawa's countertariffs see $617-million boost for import duties in March: The federal government's latest fiscal monitor report shows revenues from customs import duties topped $1-billion in March, more than double the figure from a year earlier. Poilievre could face leadership review as early as March: The Conservative Party's executive director is proposing national council sign off on a March leadership review, which would give party members the chance to vote on whether Pierre Poilievre should remain as leader. Prime Minister's Day: Mark Carney is hosting a first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon, and was scheduled to hold a news conference in midafternoon. Party Leaders: Green Party Leader Elizabeth May met with British Columbia mayors in Ottawa for the 2025 Federation of Canadian Municipalities meeting and attended the House of Commons. No schedules released for other leaders. No Eby at First Ministers' meeting: B.C. Premier David Eby is not at today's first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon. Eby is leading a trade mission to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia through June 10. His office said the trip was planned before today's meeting was announced. In his stead, the province has sent Deputy Premier Niki Sharma, also the attorney-general. 'I've got to work where I think we're going to have the most success and where I think we'll have the most success right now is working on a corridor between Hudson Bay and the port of Prince Rupert and I hope we can get some common ground on that.' – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, at today's first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon, on her pipeline ambitions. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is welcoming the first ministers to the first such gathering in the province in about 40 years. Who was the premier when a first ministers' gathering was last held in the province? Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer. It's easy to announce the end of internal trade barriers. Eliminating them is harder. America's talented foreign students could find a home in Canada. Got a news tip that you'd like us to look into? E-mail us at tips@ Need to share documents securely? Reach out via SecureDrop. The answer to today's question: Grant Devine, who was Saskatchewan's Progressive Conservative premier between 1982 and 1991, represented the province at the first ministers' table during a gathering on the economy held in Regina on Feb. 14 and 15.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Eby heads to Asia on trade mission as Indigenous leader pulls out due to Bills 14, 15
British Columbia Premier David Eby said Saturday that he is confident that recent Indigenous opposition to certain fast-tracking laws will not affect the province's ability to attract investment from Asian trade partners. Eby said that international investors need to realize that they would need 'strong partnerships with Indigenous people' and high environmental standards to have fast-moving projects in B.C. He cited recent provincial work with First Nations in the northwest that outlined not only the limitations but the opportunities available to partner countries — as long as Indigenous consent and environment stewardship are achieved. 'The work that we're doing with Nations, for example, in the northwest involves doing that land use planning, identifying those areas that are no go zones, but also identifying those areas for development where things can move faster,' Eby told reporters. 'So what we're seeing is Nations becoming full economic partners in the projects, proponents of the projects, as well as participating in the oversight to ensure land protection.' The premier made his comments on the eve of his departure on a 10-day trade mission to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. The remarks also came a day after BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee pulled out of the trade mission, citing continuing criticism from Indigenous leaders on the passing of Bills 14 and 15, two pieces of legislation aimed at speeding up certain projects. Teegee and other First Nations leaders said the bills — which narrowly passed in legislature this week — have inflicted 'profound damage' on the province's relationship with Indigenous communities. 'While the Premier seeks to strengthen B.C.'s economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region and promote investment in major natural resource projects, his government has simultaneously undermined the very rights and relationships that are foundations to sustainable economic development in First Nations territories,' the statement from the BC Assembly of First Nations. In a separate statement, Teegee said the bills passing was the direct cause of him pulling out of the trade mission. 'How can we participate in trade missions to promote resource development when this government has just rammed through legislation that tramples our rights and threatens our territories?' he said. 'During uncertain times, it's imperative that First Nations actively shape economic relationships that impact our lands, peoples, and futures.' But Eby said he has promised First Nations leaders that his government will ensure 'strong Indigenous partnerships' and strong environmental protections despite the bills passing, as long as he is premier. 'We do have to move faster,' he said, citing opening of the Blackwater gold and silver mine Friday as an example of a project that can be completed faster than expected with First Nation partnership is involved. 'This is a mine that ordinarily would take four or five years to build,' Eby said. 'It was completed in 18 months, including a significant transmission line 160-plus kilometres through some pretty challenging terrain, all of it completed in 22 months.' Eby said the province will work hard to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring Indigenous partnership, and Teegee's withdrawal from the trade mission is a clear sign that more work on that front needs to be done. 'Words will not be sufficient,' he said. This report by Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press, was first published May 31, 2025.
Globe and Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Enbridge signs deal to sell stake in Westcoast pipeline to First Nations group
Enbridge Inc. ENB-T has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in its Westcoast natural gas pipeline system to a group of 36 First Nations in B.C. Under the agreement, the Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance Limited Partnership will invest $715-million for a 12.5 per cent stake in the system. The Westcoast natural gas pipeline system is extends more than 2,900 kilometres from Fort Nelson in northeast B.C. and from Gordondale near the B.C.– Alberta border, south to the Canada –U.S. border. Chief David Jimmie, president and chair of Stonlasec8 and chief of Squiala First Nation, called the deal a significant milestone. 'Enbridge's Westcoast pipeline system is a legacy asset that has operated within our traditional territories for over 65 years,' Jimmie said in statement. 'Now, our Nations will receive sustained economic benefits from this asset, funding critical investments in housing, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation. People often ask what economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples looks like. This is it.' Enbridge chief executive Greg Ebel said the agreement is one of several such deals the company has undertaken in the last several years as it explores additional opportunities for Indigenous partnerships. 'Enbridge's commitment to advance Indigenous ownership opportunities related to our existing and growing energy assets underlines our efforts to be the first choice partner for the communities we serve,' Ebel said in a statement. The First Nations partnership has reached an agreement with Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corp., a subsidiary of Canada Development Investment Corp., to secure a $400-million loan guarantee to enable the deal. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2025, subject to financing and other conditions. Last year, Enbridge Inc. and Six Nations Energy Development LP announced plans to develop a massive wind energy project in southeast Saskatchewan. The Seven Stars Energy Project, located near Weyburn, is slated to produce 200 megawatts of clean electricity, enough to fuel more than 100,000 homes for a year.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Enbridge sells stake in Westcoast pipeline to First Nations group
Enbridge Inc. has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in its Westcoast natural gas pipeline system to a group of 36 First Nations in B.C. Under the agreement, the Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance Limited Partnership will invest $715 million for a 12.5 per cent stake in the system. The Westcoast natural gas pipeline system extends more than 2,900 kilometres from Fort Nelson in northeast B.C. and from Gordondale near the B.C.- Alberta border, south to the Canada -U.S. border. Chief David Jimmie, president and chair of Stonlasec8 and chief of Squiala First Nation, called the deal a significant milestone. "Enbridge's Westcoast pipeline system is a legacy asset that has operated within our traditional territories for over 65 years," Jimmie said in statement. "Now, our Nations will receive sustained economic benefits from this asset, funding critical investments in housing, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation. People often ask what economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples looks like. This is it." Enbridge chief executive Greg Ebel said the agreement is one of several such deals the company has undertaken in the last several years as it explores additional opportunities for Indigenous partnerships. "Enbridge's commitment to advance Indigenous ownership opportunities related to our existing and growing energy assets underlines our efforts to be the first choice partner for the communities we serve," Ebel said in a statement. The First Nations partnership has reached an agreement with Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corp., a subsidiary of Canada Development Investment Corp., to secure a $400-million loan guarantee to enable the deal. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2025, subject to financing and other conditions. Last year, Enbridge Inc. and Six Nations Energy Development LP announced plans to develop a massive wind energy project in southeast Saskatchewan. The Seven Stars Energy Project, located near Weyburn, is slated to produce 200 megawatts of clean electricity, enough to fuel more than 100,000 homes for a year.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Enbridge sells stake in Westcoast pipeline to First Nations group
Signage for an underground Enbridge pipeline in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. CALGARY — Enbridge Inc. has signed a deal to sell a minority stake in its Westcoast natural gas pipeline system to a group of 36 First Nations in B.C. Under the agreement, the Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance Limited Partnership will invest $715 million for a 12.5 per cent stake in the system. The Westcoast natural gas pipeline system is extends more than 2,900 kilometres from Fort Nelson in northeast B.C. and from Gordondale near the B.C.- Alberta border, south to the Canada -U.S. border. Chief David Jimmie, president and chair of Stonlasec8 and chief of Squiala First Nation, called the deal a significant milestone. 'Enbridge's Westcoast pipeline system is a legacy asset that has operated within our traditional territories for over 65 years,' Jimmie said in statement. 'Now, our Nations will receive sustained economic benefits from this asset, funding critical investments in housing, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation. People often ask what economic reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples looks like. This is it.' Enbridge chief executive Greg Ebel said the agreement is one of several such deals the company has undertaken in the last several years as it explores additional opportunities for Indigenous partnerships. 'Enbridge's commitment to advance Indigenous ownership opportunities related to our existing and growing energy assets underlines our efforts to be the first choice partner for the communities we serve,' Ebel said in a statement. The First Nations partnership has reached an agreement with Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corp., a subsidiary of Canada Development Investment Corp., to secure a $400-million loan guarantee to enable the deal. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2025, subject to financing and other conditions. Last year, Enbridge Inc. and Six Nations Energy Development LP announced plans to develop a massive wind energy project in southeast Saskatchewan. The Seven Stars Energy Project, located near Weyburn, is slated to produce 200 megawatts of clean electricity, enough to fuel more than 100,000 homes for a year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025.
