Latest news with #Nisga'aNation
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
As allies turn on B.C. NDP, house leader Farnworth celebrates ‘great session'
VICTORIA – Can a government have a 'great session' if its flagship legislation draws condemnation from a coalition of historical allies? B.C. NDP house leader Mike Farnworth thinks so, celebrating the end of the legislature's spring sitting that culminated Wednesday night with the passage of two controversial bills that fast-track infrastructure projects, thanks to rare tiebreaking votes from Speaker Raj Chouhan. 'Yeah, Bill 14 and Bill 15 were controversial,' Farnworth said Thursday after the final question period of the session. 'There were a lot of people opposed and a lot of people in favour, but we made it clear that we want to get things done in this province. The public expects us to be doing that.' The bills had become a flashpoint for the government, attracting criticism from the First Nations Leadership Council, environmentalists and some business groups. They said the fast-track bills undermined environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Farnworth said the federal government and other provinces have been grappling with the same issues of how to expedite big projects amid a trade war with the United States. 'At the end of the day, we made it clear that these bills were going to get through, our agenda was going to get through this session and that is what happened.' To the very end, the bills came under fire. As legislators were sitting down to vote on Wednesday night, Farnworth's former cabinet colleague Melanie Mark added her voice to the chorus. Mark, the first First Nations woman elected to B.C.'s legislature, called the government's behaviour 'astounding and disheartening' as she accused Eby and his cabinet of 'turning their backs' on First Nations, local governments and environmentalists. 'Politics should not stand in the way of progressive policies,' Mark said in a statement. 'Trampling on Indigenous rights just ends up getting reversed in the highest courts — taxpayers will end up paying for this oversight.' Bill 14 speeds up renewable energy projects and transmission lines, while Bill 15 speeds up public and private infrastructure projects like hospitals, schools and mines. 'Former minister Mark has an opinion,' Farnworth said. 'The Nisga'a Nation came out very much in favour of the legislation. This is one of the things, where government makes decisions … there are going to be people who are not happy and people who are going to be happy.' The Nisga'a Nation is one of the few Indigenous groups to back the legislation. Among the unhappy was Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation, who declared an end to the 'era of trust' with the government. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs called the bills 'unilateralism.' Terry Teegee, a B.C. Assembly of First Nations regional chief, said the bills were 'regressive.' Mark said the government should reconsider the bills, saying the province had walked back plans in the past. She pointed to a controversial $789-million plan to rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum under former premier John Horgan that the government ultimately suspended after intense criticism. 'It didn't go over as planned but former premier John Horgan had the fortitude to recalibrate, pause the project and mandate more meaningful consultation,' Mark said. Mark said Eby can do the same in this situation, which would show the government honours the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous people. 'It's never too late to do the right thing,' she said. But Eby said Wednesday that both bills were 'critically important' because they respond to a 'rapidly evolving situation.' He said B.C.'s largest trading partner, the United States under President Donald Trump, was attacking the provincial economy in the 'name of annexing' Canada as the 51st state. And Farnworth predicted British Columbians would come to see government's perspective. 'As time goes by, people will see how it's intended to work, and a lot of the fears will, in fact, be unfounded,' Farnworth said. Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at UBC, said Eby's government seemed 'hell-bent on being able to demonstrate vigorous action' to move the economy forward. 'But I think in doing so, they're placing a number potential landmines in their path,' he said. While they might be able to avoid them, they are already taking a toll, he added. Prest said the passage of the bills 'fragments' Eby's coalition, mobilizing groups that had broadly supported his government to instead act against it in a 'significant' way. He said the bills could potentially pit First Nations supporting particular projects against those opposed to the government granting itself additional powers through the bills. 'We are showing those divisions show up already,' Prest said, pointing to Mark's reaction. Farnworth quoted one of the bills' critics to argue that the relationships would withstand the current furor. 'Grand Chief Stewart Phillip once said that 'reconciliation is not for wimps,'' Farnworth said. 'It's not an easy road, and there will be bumps along the way, and there will be disagreements along the way. But reconciliation is a key cornerstone of our government, our party's values, and it's going to continue to be that.' Overall, the session saw the passage of 11 government bills and two private member's bills, one from the NDP, one from the Opposition Conservative Party of B.C. Eby acknowledged that government 'reduced the overall legislative agenda' during this spring session while adding more hours for debate. Farnworth said he did not see that as a failure. 'One of my key roles is to ensure, that we can come back in the fall, we have got work to do, that we have got bills ready to debate right away,' Farnworth said. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad was, naturally, less generous in his assessment. 'What we have seen from the government, is scrambling from crisis to crisis, and if that is what he (Farnworth) calls a great session, oh my gosh, I'm really looking forward to next spring.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025. Note to readers:This is a corrected story. A previous version said Bill 14 passed by four votes. In fact, it passed by one vote.
Global News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
BC NDP takes fire from allies over contentious bills as legislature sitting ends
Can a government have a 'great session' if its flagship legislation draws condemnation from a coalition of historical allies? B.C. NDP house leader Mike Farnworth thinks so, celebrating the end of the legislature's spring sitting that culminated Wednesday night with the passage of two controversial bills that fast-track infrastructure projects, thanks to rare tiebreaking votes from Speaker Raj Chouhan. 'Yeah, Bill 14 and Bill 15 were controversial,' Farnworth said Thursday after the final question period of the session. 'There were a lot of people opposed and a lot of people in favour, but we made it clear that we want to get things done in this province. The public expects us to be doing that.' 3:23 B.C. legislature votes on Bill 15 The bills had become a flashpoint for the government, attracting criticism from the First Nations Leadership Council, environmentalists and some business groups. Story continues below advertisement They said the fast-track bills undermined environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Farnworth said the federal government and other provinces have been grappling with the same issues of how to expedite big projects amid a trade war with the United States. 'At the end of the day, we made it clear that these bills were going to get through, our agenda was going to get through this session and that is what happened.' To the very end, the bills came under fire. As legislators were sitting down to vote on Wednesday night, Farnworth's former cabinet colleague Melanie Mark added her voice to the chorus. Mark, the first First Nations woman elected to B.C.'s legislature, called the government's behaviour 'astounding and disheartening' as she accused Eby and his cabinet of 'turning their backs' on First Nations, local governments and environmentalists. 'Politics should not stand in the way of progressive policies,' Mark said in a statement. 'Trampling on Indigenous rights just ends up getting reversed in the highest courts — taxpayers will end up paying for this oversight.' 1:45 Municipalities, First Nations team up to oppose provincial development bill Bill 14 speeds up renewable energy projects and transmission lines, while Bill 15 speeds up public and private infrastructure projects like hospitals, schools and mines. Story continues below advertisement 'Former minister Mark has an opinion,' Farnworth said. 'The Nisga'a Nation came out very much in favour of the legislation. This is one of the things, where government makes decisions … there are going to be people who are not happy and people who are going to be happy.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Nisga'a Nation is one of the few Indigenous groups to back the legislation. Among the unhappy was Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation, who declared an end to the 'era of trust' with the government. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs called the bills 'unilateralism.' Terry Teegee, a B.C. Assembly of First Nations regional chief, said the bills were 'regressive.' Mark said the government should reconsider the bills, saying the province had walked back plans in the past. She pointed to a controversial $789-million plan to rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum under former premier John Horgan that the government ultimately suspended after intense criticism. 2:17 B.C.'s Bill 15 under fire from Indigeous leaders 'It didn't go over as planned but former premier John Horgan had the fortitude to recalibrate, pause the project and mandate more meaningful consultation,' Mark said. Story continues below advertisement Mark said Eby can do the same in this situation, which would show the government honours the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous people. 'It's never too late to do the right thing,' she said. But Eby said Wednesday that both bills were 'critically important' because they respond to a 'rapidly evolving situation.' He said B.C.'s largest trading partner, the United States under President Donald Trump, was attacking the provincial economy in the 'name of annexing' Canada as the 51st state. And Farnworth predicted British Columbians would come to see government's perspective. 'As time goes by, people will see how it's intended to work, and a lot of the fears will, in fact, be unfounded,' Farnworth said. Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at UBC, said Eby's government seemed 'hell-bent on being able to demonstrate vigorous action' to move the economy forward. 'But I think in doing so, they're placing a number potential landmines in their path,' he said. While they might be able to avoid them, they are already taking a toll, he added. Prest said the passage of the bills 'fragments' Eby's coalition, mobilizing groups that had broadly supported his government to instead act against it in a 'significant' way. Story continues below advertisement 1:57 Mining association calls for fast-tracking permits He said the bills could potentially pit First Nations supporting particular projects against those opposed to the government granting itself additional powers through the bills. 'We are showing those divisions show up already,' Prest said, pointing to Mark's reaction. Farnworth quoted one of the bills' critics to argue that the relationships would withstand the current furor. 'Grand Chief Stewart Phillip once said that 'reconciliation is not for wimps,'' Farnworth said. 'It's not an easy road, and there will be bumps along the way, and there will be disagreements along the way. But reconciliation is a key cornerstone of our government, our party's values, and it's going to continue to be that.' Overall, the session saw the passage of 11 government bills and two private member's bills, one from the NDP, one from the Opposition Conservative Party of B.C. Story continues below advertisement Eby acknowledged that government 'reduced the overall legislative agenda' during this spring session while adding more hours for debate. Farnworth said he did not see that as a failure. 'One of my key roles is to ensure, that we can come back in the fall, we have got work to do, that we have got bills ready to debate right away,' Farnworth said. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad was, naturally, less generous in his assessment. 'What we have seen from the government, is scrambling from crisis to crisis, and if that is what he (Farnworth) calls a great session, oh my gosh, I'm really looking forward to next spring.'
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
As allies turn on B.C. NDP, house leader Farnworth celebrates ‘great session'
VICTORIA - Can a government have a 'great session' if its flagship legislation draws condemnation from a coalition of historical allies? B.C. NDP house leader Mike Farnworth thinks so, celebrating the end of the legislature's spring sitting that culminated Wednesday night with the passage of two controversial bills that fast-track infrastructure projects, thanks to rare tiebreaking votes from Speaker Raj Chouhan. 'Yeah, Bill 14 and Bill 15 were controversial,' Farnworth said Thursday after the final question period of the session. 'There were a lot of people opposed and a lot of people in favour, but we made it clear that we want to get things done in this province. The public expects us to be doing that.' The bills had become a flashpoint for the government, attracting criticism from the First Nations Leadership Council, environmentalists and some business groups. They said the fast-track bills undermined environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Farnworth said the federal government and other provinces have been grappling with the same issues of how to expedite big projects amid a trade war with the United States. 'At the end of the day, we made it clear that these bills were going to get through, our agenda was going to get through this session and that is what happened.' To the very end, the bills came under fire. As legislators were sitting down to vote on Wednesday night, Farnworth's former cabinet colleague Melanie Mark added her voice to the chorus. Mark, the first First Nations woman elected to B.C.'s legislature, called the government's behaviour 'astounding and disheartening' as she accused Eby and his cabinet of 'turning their backs' on First Nations, local governments and environmentalists. 'Politics should not stand in the way of progressive policies,' Mark said in a statement. 'Trampling on Indigenous rights just ends up getting reversed in the highest courts — taxpayers will end up paying for this oversight.' Bill 14 speeds up renewable energy projects and transmission lines, while Bill 15 speeds up public and private infrastructure projects like hospitals, schools and mines. 'Former minister Mark has an opinion,' Farnworth said. 'The Nisga'a Nation came out very much in favour of the legislation. This is one of the things, where government makes decisions … there are going to be people who are not happy and people who are going to be happy.' The Nisga'a Nation is one of the few Indigenous groups to back the legislation. Among the unhappy was Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation, who declared an end to the 'era of trust' with the government. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs called the bills 'unilateralism.' Terry Teegee, a B.C. Assembly of First Nations regional chief, said the bills were 'regressive.' Mark said the government should reconsider the bills, saying the province had walked back plans in the past. She pointed to a controversial $789-million plan to rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum under former premier John Horgan that the government ultimately suspended after intense criticism. 'It didn't go over as planned but former premier John Horgan had the fortitude to recalibrate, pause the project and mandate more meaningful consultation,' Mark said. Mark said Eby can do the same in this situation, which would show the government honours the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous people. 'It's never too late to do the right thing,' she said. But Eby said Wednesday that both bills were 'critically important' because they respond to a 'rapidly evolving situation.' He said B.C.'s largest trading partner, the United States under President Donald Trump, was attacking the provincial economy in the 'name of annexing' Canada as the 51st state. And Farnworth predicted British Columbians would come to see government's perspective. 'As time goes by, people will see how it's intended to work, and a lot of the fears will, in fact, be unfounded,' Farnworth said. Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at UBC, said Eby's government seemed 'hell-bent on being able to demonstrate vigorous action' to move the economy forward. 'But I think in doing so, they're placing a number potential landmines in their path,' he said. While they might be able to avoid them, they are already taking a toll, he added. Prest said the passage of the bills 'fragments' Eby's coalition, mobilizing groups that had broadly supported his government to instead act against it in a 'significant' way. He said the bills could potentially pit First Nations supporting particular projects against those opposed to the government granting itself additional powers through the bills. 'We are showing those divisions show up already,' Prest said, pointing to Mark's reaction. Farnworth quoted one of the bills' critics to argue that the relationships would withstand the current furor. 'Grand Chief Stewart Phillip once said that 'reconciliation is not for wimps,'' Farnworth said. 'It's not an easy road, and there will be bumps along the way, and there will be disagreements along the way. But reconciliation is a key cornerstone of our government, our party's values, and it's going to continue to be that.' Overall, the session saw the passage of 11 government bills and two private member's bills, one from the NDP, one from the Opposition Conservative Party of B.C. Eby acknowledged that government 'reduced the overall legislative agenda' during this spring session while adding more hours for debate. Farnworth said he did not see that as a failure. 'One of my key roles is to ensure, that we can come back in the fall, we have got work to do, that we have got bills ready to debate right away,' Farnworth said. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad was, naturally, less generous in his assessment. 'What we have seen from the government, is scrambling from crisis to crisis, and if that is what he (Farnworth) calls a great session, oh my gosh, I'm really looking forward to next spring.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025. Note to readers:This is a corrected story. A previous version said Bill 14 passed by four votes. In fact, it passed by one vote.
CBC
20-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
TotalEnergies signs supply deal with proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project on B.C. coast
TotalEnergies has signed a deal to buy two million tons per year of liquefied natural gas for 20 years from the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project on the north coast of B.C. The proposed project is a liquefied natural gas plant with a capacity of 12 million tons per year. In connection with the deal, TotalEnergies will acquire a five per cent stake in Western LNG, the developer, shareholder and future operator of the project. The French company has also been granted an option to increase its stake in Western LNG and/or take a direct stake in the plant of up to about 10 per cent once a final investment decision is made. In a statement, Davis Thames, the founder, president and CEO of Western LNG, said they're pleased to welcome TotalEnergies as an investor, describing the company as the largest buyer of North American LNG. "Their experience with development and operations will be a welcome addition to the project as we move steadily toward FID [final investment decision] later this year so that we can provide reliable, low-carbon Canadian LNG to growing global markets," Thames said. Ksi Lisims is being developed by the Nisga'a Nation, Rockies LNG Partners and Western LNG. The project submitted its application to the B.C. government for an environmental assessment certificate in October 2023. "For a quarter of a century, Nisga'a citizens have waited to see the kind of transformative opportunity our Treaty envisioned," said Eva Clayton, president of the Nisga'a Lisims government. "That's why it is especially meaningful to see Ksi Lisims LNG progressing steadily toward construction." Charlotte Raggett, president of Rockies LNG, said projects like Ksi Lisims LNG will be critical "as Canada works to diversify trade and increase our economic resilience." The TotalEnergies deal is the second offtake agreement signed by Ksi Lisims, which is still waiting for its final approval from the B.C. government. Its proponents say if it is approved in 2025, it could be online by 2029. Shell Eastern Trading Pte Ltd. signed a similar deal last year to also buy two million tons of LNG per year for 20 years.
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Nations Royalty seeks to bring together Indigenous groups with mining royalties
A first-of-its-kind, royalty-seeking company isn't searching for crowns. Instead, it's eyeing Indigenous communities in Manitoba. 'A big part of my job is building trust,' said Kody Penner, Nations Royalty vice-president of corporate development. He stopped in Winnipeg on Friday. It's the latest destination he's visited to generate interest for Canada's first majority Indigenous-owned mining royalty company. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Kody Penner, V-P of corporate development at Nations Royalty. The firm went public last year; it's traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. British Columbia-based Nisga'a Nation launched the company alongside mining financiers such as billionaire Frank Giustra. The goal, Penner said, is to band Indigenous groups with mining royalties together and grow their wealth. When a mine begins, it signs an impact benefit agreement with impacted communities. Those communities get money through the deal. They might receive a percentage of the mine's revenue or profit. Nisga'a Nation has impact-benefit agreements with five different mines in B.C.'s so-called 'Golden Triangle.' It put all future payments from the mines into Nations Royalty. In exchange, it became majority owner of the company (77 per cent). One of the mines, Seabridge Gold's KSM project, is touted as one of the world's largest undeveloped gold projects. The Brucejack mine (gold and silver) in B.C. is currently the only operational mine in Nations Royalty's portfolio. The company was launched after raising $10 million from investors and receiving backing from the Fiore Group. Giustra, co-founder of Wheaton Precious Metals — a streaming firm valued at more than $40 billion in February — is the largest shareholder outside of Nisga'a Nation, Penner said. Nations Royalty is now looking for other Indigenous groups with mining royalties to join in. Communities would trade their impact benefit agreement payments — or part of them — for equity in the company. 'When you're able to pool many different payments from different mines … into a single company, you become more valuable,' Penner said. 'You're creating a lower-risk environment for investors.' He's been sharing the same points with local leaders he's met throughout the country: they could get equity (and/or money) quickly instead of waiting for an annual cheque; diversification lowers risk; and, if all goes as planned, the company's value will greatly increase over time. Penner declined to say projected returns, adding he can't predict it. Nations Royalty hasn't yet inked deals with other Indigenous communities to date. 'We've worked so hard to get these (impact-benefit agreements),' said Penner, who's from Tahltan First Nation in B.C. 'It took a few hundred years of colonization to finally get to a point where we have impact-benefit agreements and we have participation at these mine sites. (So) it's a little bit of a trust thing.' Penner said he's spoken with Indigenous leaders from Manitoba, Ontario, B.C. and Nunavut. Some have questioned if they want others managing their money; weighing cash needs now versus in the future is another factor, Penner said. He wouldn't divulge how many Manitoba-based communities he's spoken to or how close Nations Royalty is to signing a new deal, citing confidentiality. Indigenous groups who put their impact-benefit agreements into Nations Royalty will continue to be part-owners as long as they hold shares in the company, even when the agreement-bound mine closes and its related payments stop, Penner said. Renee Greyeyes has kept tabs on Nations Royalty. The Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Manitoba president considers it a 'good model.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'It does change the game for us,' Greyeyes said. 'It puts Indigenous nations on the shareholders side of resource projects. It's not just stakeholders and us being consultants anymore.' She views Nations Royalty as a way to connect Indigenous people with capital market access, boosting finance, housing, health and education. More Indigenous ownership in all sectors is key going forward, Greyeyes stressed. At least one local First Nation is working with the chamber to start its own mining project, Greyeyes hinted. 'When we talk about economic reconciliation, that's it,' she said, adding she believes Nations Royalty is 'moving us in the right direction.' Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle 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.
