Latest news with #ProtectOntariobyUnleashingOurEconomyAct
National Observer
6 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
First Nations vow to 'stop that bulldozer coming north,' as Ontario passes controversial mining law
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government has given itself the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas it deems to have economic importance. On Wednesday afternoon, the province passed Bill 5, the so-called Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, which has sparked a firestorm of anger among First Nations. The province has said the bill is needed to speed up large projects, particularly mines, in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Jeers from dozens of First Nations members echoed in the legislature as the bill was passed into law. Ford did not show up for the final vote. Earlier in the day, Ford wouldn't say if he would use the notwithstanding clause to save Bill 5 if it ends up being challenged and found unconstitutional in court. But he said that he would "cross that bridge" when he comes to it. First Nations say the bill tramples their rights and ignores their concerns, and they have warned they may blockade roads, railways and mines in protest. But Ford said Wednesday that wouldn't be "very wise." Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government has given itself the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas it deems to have economic importance. The move has sparked a firestorm of anger among First Nations. "You can't break the law," Ford said. "Simple as that. ... They need to move on or they'll be dealt with appropriately." When asked to clarify his comments, Ford said he doesn't direct the police and any enforcement would be up to the Ontario Provincial Police or local police services. The legislation will create so-called "special economic zones," where the government could suspend laws in order to speed up projects such as mines. Ford has cited the need to move more quickly on mining places such as the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario in order to strengthen the province's economy while it is under Trump's attack. Civil liberty groups are livid at the prospect of effectively lawless zones, and unions have warned that labour laws would be under threat. The measure is part of an omnibus bill that makes a slew of other changes, including stripping protections for endangered and threatened species. Environmental groups and the Toronto Zoo have warned this will lead to extinctions. Farmers, who largely support the Progressive Conservative government, have also spoken out against the bill. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture said the broad powers "could override vital protections for farmland and agricultural systems." Several First Nation leaders said Wednesday there was nothing the government could do to rectify the bill. "I believe it is too late," said deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations, including those in the Ring of Fire. "They have not acknowledged our request, our demands and our position to start over again so that we can be there as the rightful treaty people of Ontario." NDP deputy leader Sol Mamakwa, who represents the northern Ontario riding of Kiiwetinoong that is home to many First Nations and the Ring of Fire, said that Ford is not listening to their concerns. "This is not the wild, wild west," he said, surrounded by several people who flew in from various communities in his riding. "We are the ones that live in these communities on these lands. He does not live in those lands. ... You cannot vote, legislatively bulldoze your way. These are the people that will stop that bulldozer coming north." Ford's government fast-tracked the bill and limited third-reading debate, and while the opposition parties tried to stall the bill at the committee stage, it returned to the legislature Wednesday afternoon for the third reading and final vote. In response to the growing backlash, Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford and Mining Minister Stephen Lecce said late last month that the province would amend Bill 5 to explicitly include duty to consult provisions throughout the legislation. That amendment did not end up making it in the bill due to the tactics the Liberals used in committee. Ford said it's unfortunate that opposition parties wanted to "drag this out," but his government will consult with First Nations over the coming months. "When it comes to duty to consult, which is very important, and we are going to do it, if they have an equity partnership it moves like greased lightning," he said.
National Observer
02-06-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
First Nations protest at Queen's Park against Ford's mining bill
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is pushing through a controversial mining bill despite the protests of several hundred First Nations members who came from the far north to the front lawn of Queen's Park on Monday. "Kill Bill 5, kill Bill 5," the crowd chanted. The province moved to shut down debate on a mining law known as Bill 5 that would give the government power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas deemed to have economic importance – and remove some endangered species protections. The proposed legislation has sparked an angry backlash from First Nations who say the bill tramples their rights and ignores their concerns. They've asked the province to scrap the bill and to draft legislation alongside First Nations as partners. "Our rights are not for sale," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse at the rally. The government is speeding up the passage of a plethora of bills before the legislature rises later this week for a summer break. Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, is designed to speed up the building of large projects, especially mines. Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is pushing through a controversial mining bill despite the protests of several hundred First Nations members who came from the far north to the front lawn of Queen's Park on Monday. The province will not kill the bill, said Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. "We're looking forward to passing the bill later this week and getting out and performing our duty to consult," Rickford said. Ford, Rickford and Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce are set to soon meet with the leadership council of the Chiefs of Ontario, and then the ministers plan to visit First Nations in northern Ontario throughout the summer as they try to sell them on the bill. The province intends to designate the Ring of Fire, a region replete with critical minerals, as a so-called "special economic zone" where it can pick and choose which laws to lift. Last week, under pressure from First Nations, the province made several amendments to the bill in an effort to appease them. But First Nations said it was too little, too late. The province will hold off on designating the Ring of Fire the first such zone until it completes consultations with affected First Nations. First Nations have threatened to form blockades of roads, railways and mines should the bill become law. "Certainly we don't condone confrontation and, as I said, I have spoken with a number of First Nations leaders from across the province who've expressed that today is a rally, a peaceful reminder that they want to try to understand how the designation of an economic zone would affect their treaty rights," Rickford said. "We've assured them that they will in no way affect their treaties rights and that, further, the duty to consult is explicit in the bill." A legislative committee heard from First Nations leaders and environmental groups, as well as mining groups, over two days and, as the committee was considering amendments last week, the NDP and Liberals used procedural tools to grind the process to a halt, in protest. Government house leader Steve Clark has stepped in to limit further committee time and require the bill to go back to the house for third reading, with just one hour of debate, and a final vote that same day. While Bill 5 got two days of committee hearings, the six other pieces of legislation the government is speeding up have had no hearings, and will have as little as half an hour of third-reading debate, with just nine minutes each allotted to the two recognized opposition parties. New Democrat Sol Mamakwa, the legislature's lone First Nations member, said in question period that Ford was "telling untruths" about his people's approval of the mining bill. Speaker Donna Skelly asked him to withdraw the comment, which Mamakwa refused to do, so she booted him from question period. Thirty minutes later, Skelly and Mamakwa set aside their differences to feed politicians a "Taste of the North" lunch. Mamakwa had several family and community members help gather food from northwestern Ontario, fly it to Toronto and cook it at Queen's Park. The politicians ate moose, goose, lake trout, pickerel and beaver. Mamakwa has twice packed a frozen goose and brought it to Queen's Park, where he plucked and cooked it – once on the front lawn. "The beaver was a last-minute addition," Mamakwa said with a big smile on Monday. "Food brings people together." With a full belly, Mamakwa returned to his differences and set out for the protest. The opposition parties say pushing bills through without much public consultation or debate is undemocratic. The NDP's Opposition house leader, John Vanthof, spoke in a debate last week over the government limiting debate and bypassing committee for four bills – including the budget bill – in what's called a time-allocation motion. "What's happening now with the time allocation, specifically on four bills, is removing the right of the people to speak, and in many ways, the opposition to speak," Vanthof said. "You actually don't need a parliament. We're actually almost going back to where you have, like, a king. That's truly scary. I'm not opposed to the monarchy as a figurehead, but we came very far in our democracies to actually have parliaments. What the government is doing is basically making the premier the king." Vanthof stressed the seriousness of the matter, though he had the opposition benches laughing while he was reading out quotes from government house leader Steve Clark, upset about time allocation motions when he was in opposition. "My party loves to hear from people," Clark said in the waning days of the former Liberal government. "If this government doesn't want to listen to people, I'll give them a guarantee. I'll give them, actually, the people's guarantee, because we will listen to them, and we will ensure that those Ontarians are being listened to." Clark, who during that 2017 debate called such motions "anti-democratic," said last week that the younger Steve Clark was "maybe more brash and abrupt," defending the current moves. "The government has decided that these four bills are very important for us," he said. "There needs to be certainty from the government's government decides that they're going to prioritize certain things, the government is going to move forward with those legislations. That's my message." However much the former Liberal government shut down debate, the Progressive Conservative government is a worse offender, Vanthof said. "Two time allocation votes in a day was probably the previous record for the travesty to democracy, probably the previous record, and that was held by the Liberals," he said.
Toronto Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Ford government says controversial mining bill needs ‘improvements'
Scrambling to allay concerns from Indigenous leaders, Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives concede they will have to make changes to a controversial law fast-tracking mining projects. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said Monday the government is mindful that Bill 5, the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act,' which is now being studied by a legislative committee at Queen's Park, could be better. 'We can continue to work in good faith with First Nation leaders to strengthen the bill, to get it right. We're open to making those improvements to the bill. We already have made some, but I think there's some more work to do,' Lecce told reporters. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We're going to have those discussions with the First Nation leaders — we have throughout the weekend to be fair — and beyond, but I'm just signalling to you a willingness to do that,' he said. Lecce would not specify what amendments the Tories were considering for Bill 5, which would limit environmental assessments, create 'special economic zones' exempt from many municipal and provincial rules while violating long-standing First Nation treaty rights and potentially endangering wildlife. NDP Leader Marit Stiles was skeptical that his pledge to modify the legislation could fix it. 'Go back to the drawing board,' she urged. 'This fight will end up in the courts or on the land.' Indeed, that could mean 'blockages of mines, roads,' warned New Democrat MPP Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong), whose northwestern Ontario riding include the vast Ring of Fire mineral deposits. 'That's the only way that they'll listen,' Mamakwa said of Ford's government. Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation said the premier's comment last Friday that reluctant First Nations would eventually come on board once they see others enjoying economic benefits such as electricity lines from Bill 5 was 'an idiotic thing to say.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW First Nations will do 'anything and everything that will make this government listen to us,' said Fiddler, hinting at the prospect of 'conflict on the ground.' 'If this bill in its current form goes through, that is where we're heading,' he said. 'And those that oppose (Bill 5) will most likely end up in jail.' Other Indigenous leaders took exception to Ford touting the legislation is a way for them to get electricity, training, jobs and other modern conveniences. 'Really, all they're doing is using the neglect of these nations for the past 150 years as, somehow, leverage to open the doors,' said Scott McLeod, regional chief for the Anishinabek nation. 'These things should have been done a long time ago.' Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said the Tories are overreaching with Bill 5. 'I have a lot of issues with the power that it grants to cabinet, with respect to the special economic zones, the trusted proponents, who might they be and who would qualify, and then, of course, the lack of consultation with Indigenous communities with respect to Ring of Fire and other Northern development issues,' said Crombie. 'The problem is the premier is ignoring Indigenous communities and plowing ahead … and I think there could be a big fallout as a result.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said Bill 5 is an 'extraordinary power grab by the premier,' who has used the American president's tariffs on Canadian goods as justification. 'If you want to fight Donald Trump, you can't act like Donald Trump,' said Schreiner. But Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Minister Greg Rickford, who spent the weekend meeting with chiefs from across the province, said the legislation is about improving opportunities for remote communities. 'We've had a robust political engagement with a number of chiefs around consensus items. When we talk about the opportunity that an economic zone presents, it's really about a convergence of objectives that we share,' Rickford, who worked as a nurse on First Nation reserves before he went into politics. 'These communities have no road access in a shrinking winter road season. They're on diesel (power) generation,' he said. 'I'll say to sum up that a number of chiefs that I've talked to think we have a lot of room to move here. There is no question in any part of the province that First Nations communities have historically been at a disadvantage when major economic projects move forward.' Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
Toronto Star
24-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Doug Ford says some First Nations will ‘never agree' to proposed bill speeding up mine development
Mindful of concerns from Indigenous groups about a controversial bill fast-tracking mines and infrastructure projects, Premier Doug Ford maintains he's consulting with First Nations — but notes some 'will never agree.' 'People elected us to move quick, and that's exactly what we're going to do,' Ford said Friday in Orillia, referring to the Feb. 27 vote that saw his Progressive Conservatives win a third consecutive majority. The Conservative platform included promises to cut red tape and speed up the approval process for mines, roads and highways so that critical minerals from northern Ontario can get to market faster. The minerals are needed for electric vehicle, national defence and other industries, and could help offset the negative economic impacts of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Ford touted the benefits of more mining projects for Indigenous communities, such as jobs and modern conveniences, and acknowledged he expects continued resistance despite tripling the amount available for loans to First Nations partnerships to $3 billion earlier this week. Provincial Politics Doug Ford government touts $3B for Indigenous loans a day before hearings on the controversial bill fast-tracking mining projects With legislative hearings on Bill 5, the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act,' 'You know, some groups will never agree. Some are in-between, and some are all for it,' the premier told reporters. 'But I feel strongly that when other First Nations communities see their neighbours thriving and prospering and having electricity rather than diesel (to fuel generators), and growing their community and learning trades ... eventually they're going to want ... to do the same thing,' the premier added. 'I'm hoping.' Ford's comments came the day after legislative committee hearings began at Queen's Park on Bill 5, called the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act.' Indigenous leaders fear that if enacted it would violate treaties, limit environmental assessments and create special economic zones exempt from many provincial regulations. Provincial Politics Doug Ford's legislation to speed up mining projects violates First Nation treaty rights, hearing told Proponents argue that the controversial bill is essential for Ontario's economy amid U.S. 'Our treaty is not red tape. Our rights are not red tape,' Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation told legislators after New Democrat MPP Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) chided Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Minister Greg Rickford, saying 'you're not listening to First Nations.' Mamakwa's riding near Kenora includes the massive Ring of Fire mineral deposits. Ford warned mining investments will go to the United States, Australia and other jurisdictions if Ontario doesn't improve the timelines for getting mines up and running, a process that he said can now take 15 years. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'With consultation from communities and First Nations, we want to move it quicker because, if not, we're losing investments.' Other critics have warned Bill 5 would endanger wildlife and could lead to unwilling hosts for garbage dumps, because of plans to expand a landfill site in Dresden. 'If a massive landfill can be forced on the edge of our town without a full environmental review, whose town is next?' Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff asked the committee Thursday. Noting that some Ontario garbage goes to Michigan, Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said 'we need to ensure that we are not beholden to President Trump when it comes to critical minerals or energy or even our waste management.' The hearings on Bill 5 continue Monday. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
Toronto Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Doug Ford's legislation to speed up mining projects violates First Nation treaty rights, hearing told
Premier Doug Ford's legislation fast-tracking infrastructure and mining projects violates long-standing First Nation treaty rights, endangers wildlife and could lead to unwilling hosts for garbage dumps, a parliamentary committee heard. But proponents argue the Progressive Conservatives' controversial Bill 5 is essential to helping Ontario's economy weather the storm caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada. In the first day of legislative hearings into the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act,' MPPs were told the proposed law is necessary to expedite mining approvals, which can take to 15 years, and build new roads and highways. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We need to ensure that we are not beholden to President Trump and when it comes to critical minerals or energy or even our waste management,' Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said Thursday. That was a reference to the expansion of a landfill site in Dresden that has drawn the ire of local residents, including Tory MPP Steve Pinsonneault (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex), who has spoken out against his government's legislation that would allow a dump just 550 metres from a high school. Lecce said Pinsonneault was 'a strong advocate for his community, this is personal to him, he's lived there his whole life.' Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said the legislation was opening a can of worms that could impact communities around the province. 'If a massive landfill can be forced on the edge of our town without full environmental review, whose town is next?' said Canniff. Because Ontario exports 40 per cent of its garbage stateside, the Tories fear the province's waste-management system could be at the mercy of Trump's whims. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The law, which would limit environmental assessments and create 'special economic zones' exempt from many municipal and provincial rules, has infuriated Indigenous leaders. 'We are here to remind Ontario it has obligations under the treaty. You need to fulfil those obligations. We are not an interest group,' warned Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. 'Our treaty is not red tape. Our rights are not red tape,' said Fiddler. During earlier testimony from Lecce and Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Minister Greg Rickford, NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa said 'you're not listening to First Nations.' 'You're not answering my question, you're just blowing smoke,' Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) chided Rickford. 'Do you understand that with this bill you're not honouring the treaties? You're violating them,' he said. Rickford said he disagreed that treaty rights were being broken with the legislation, which he argued would bring economic prosperity to many Indigenous communities by creating jobs and building infrastructure like roads. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Cynthia Fiddler, a band councillor at Sandy Lake First Nation, noted a defunct gold and silver mine dating back to 1939 has left her community polluted to this day. 'Fast-track the cleanup. Why can't that be fast-tracked?' Fiddler told the committee. 'This is wrong, this bill.' Testifying in Anishininiimowin, known in English as Oji-Cree, Sandy Lake lawyer Adam Fiddler stressed 'our inherent right is sacred.' The Tories used their majority on the committee to defeat Mamakwa's motion to hold legislative hearings in the northern communities most affected by the potential changes. As a smattering of protesters braved the rain outside, chanting 'stop Bill 5,' Liberal MPP Jonathan Tsao (Don Valley North) said the scheme was 'a reckless plan to override laws, silence consultation and fast-track development.' However, Ontario Mining Association president Priya Tandon said 'this bill's key mining related elements are vital to enhancing Ontario's economic competitiveness and unlocking the potential of its mineral sector.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'The potential is transformational, but we need government in alignment with this end goal to make it a reality, particularly when we are in a geopolitical climate of uncertainty,' said Tandon. 'We are encouraged that this government has signalled its intention to strengthen Ontario's economy at home,' she said. 'Our members produce the building blocks of modern life and innovation that the world needs.' Dolf DeJong, chief executive officer of the Toronto Zoo, expressed concern the legislation would endanger species. 'This bill, if passed, could undo decades of conservation efforts and threaten some of Ontario's most vulnerable species, species your Toronto Zoo works directly for — and these are species who can't speak for themselves — including the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike, Blanding's turtles, Massasauga rattlesnake, boreal caribou and more,' said DeJong. 'They're living, breathing, parts of Ontario's natural heritage and part of our identity. These are species we've been working for decades with communities, partners and governments of all stripes, including yours, to protect at your Toronto Zoo.' With files from Rob Ferguson Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
