Latest news with #Treaty9
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ontario NDP, Liberals successfully stall Bill 5 after filibustering until midnight Thursday
Bill 5 was successfully stalled in committee after Ontario NDP and Liberal MPPs filibustered from around 4 p.m. on Wednesday until midnight Thursday. The filibuster has blocked the controversial bill from going into its third and final reading, as the committee process will now continue into next week, Ontario NDP said in a statement on X just after midnight on Thursday. The MPPs "used every committee tool to delay progress [on] Ford's attempt to rush through this legislation without proper consultation," the statement said. Bill 5 would create so-called "special economic zones" where the government can exempt companies or projects from complying with provincial laws or regulations. It would also replace the province's endangered species act, replacing it with an new law that critics say waters down protections. The bill has been criticized by First Nations, environmentalists and legal advocates, who have said the proposed law would gut environmental protections for wildlife and infringe on treaty rights. Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles participated in Wednesday's filibuster. She addressed Ontario Premier Doug Ford directly in a post on X around 12:20 a.m. Thursday. "Your government now has the time and opportunity to do the right thing: Scrap Bill 5. Let's go back to the drawing board, and do this right," the post read. Monday is the earliest the committee process can continue, Liberal MPP Ted Hsu said in a video on X around 1 a.m. Thursday. A spokesperson for the premier's office did not directly address the filibuster in an email Thursday morning. "The Premier's and Ministers' comments yesterday stand as response on matter related to Bill 5," spokesperson Hannah Jensen wrote. WATCH | Ontario First Nations leaders say communities will take a stand if bill passes: After question period at Queen's Park on Wednesday, Energy and Mining Minister Stephen Lecce said the government brought forward the bill "in good faith" after hearing concerns from Ontarians about delays for mining projects. He said the government is committing to responsible resource development and policy, while upholding its duty to consult with First Nations under Treaty 9. "We think we can do both, we think we found that balance but we understand we've got to keep listening," Lecce said on Wednesday. Speaking at Queen's Park on Wednesday evening, Ontario NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa said the MPPs would debate the 40 clauses in the amendment, line-by-line, during the filibuster. "We cannot stop the bill, but we can certainly slow down the processes that are there," Mamakwa said. The government attempted a motion to continue Wednesday's committee meeting until 9 a.m. on Thursday, but that motion failed, a spokesperson for the Ontario NDP said. During the filibuster, Stiles said the government initially scheduled the committee to sit until 12 a.m. Thursday, which she said "is bad enough," before attempting to extend it into the morning. "While the rest of us are in agreement that we should move this committee to daytime hours, the government is making sure that this committee is taking place under the cover of darkness," she said, speaking around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Ford government put forward amendments to the bill on Wednesday in response to criticism, including that the government will also create "Indigenous led economic zones." But opposition leaders say the government hasn't defined what this means. The government also introduced what are known as duty to consult provisions. "Regulations under this Act shall be made in a manner consistent with the recognition and affirmation of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, including the duty to consult," the proposed amendment reads, according to an email from the premier's office Wednesday. But First Nations leaders in Ontario say the government already failed in its duty to consult. They want the province to start over and involve First Nations in drafting a new bill.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Road, rail and mine blockades could be on horizon over Ontario mining bill: chiefs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to media at Queen's Park in Toronto, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor Road, rail and mine blockades could be on the horizon as First Nations ratchet up pressure on the Ontario government to kill a proposed bill that seeks to speed up large mining projects in the north. Provincial ministers say they have heard the outcry and will make improvements to Bill 5, but are stopping short of saying they would eliminate it outright. The proposed law has sparked anger among First Nations, environmentalists and civil liberty groups who say the bill tramples rights and guts protections for endangered species. The province is set to create so-called special economic zones that would suspend provincial and municipal laws for certain projects. Premier Doug Ford has said the province intends to declare the critical mineral-rich Ring of Fire in northern Ontario one such zone. First Nation chiefs are at Queen's Park today to tell a committee studying the bill that it n does not respect the province's duty to consult and other obligations as laid out in Treaty No. 9. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.
CBC
09-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
3 First Nations chiefs warn Ontario's premier Treaty 9 lands are 'not for sale'
Province is using tariffs as 'an excuse' to push through mining project approvals, says lawyer Three Treaty 9 First Nations chiefs say they will challenge a proposed Ontario law to implement "special economic zones" to speed up development, if passed. Chief Donny Morris of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, a community around 580 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, said Wednesday his response to Bill 5 is the same as Premier Doug Ford's response to U.S. threats of annexation. "Canada and Ontario lands is not for sale. It's the same perception we have, too," he said. "Just flip it around and face me. You'll hear the same words you're telling the president of the U.S." The Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, also known as Bill 5, would make changes to just under a dozen laws aiming to accelerate mining projects in the province, including in an area dubbed the Ring of Fire — a vast mineral-rich area of Treaty 9 land. Ford said at an April news conference he wants to remove "red tape" around exploration projects to help protect Ontario and Canada's economy against U.S. tariffs. Morris, Chief Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin of Attawapiskat First Nation and Chief June Black of Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, said in a news release last month they will challenge Bill 5 if it's passed. "If tariffs is pushing this government to take shortcuts, to try and override our communities, our homelands, that's not the way to go," Morris said. "We gotta work together whether you like it or not." The three First Nations are among a dozen Treaty 9 First Nations suing the province over the way resource and land management decisions are made in the region. Kate Kempton, the lawyer representing the First Nations in the lawsuit, said the province using tensions with the U.S. as a reason to table legislation to streamline the approval of resource extraction projects is "a joke." "The tariffs are just an excuse to rampantly run over the environment in First Nations to get a bunch of money into the coffers of the provincial government," said Kempton. She said it would take around two years for Ontario to approve and build the roads for a mine and nearly a dozen years to build one, so it's not an immediate solution to stabilize the economy against tariffs. "Nobody's against this sort of development per se, but we're against unilateral, reckless development that pays no regard to the environment or to human communities," Kempton said. The Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in Ontario, and the Mushkegowuk Council, which represents seven First Nations on the James Bay coast and inland, have also expressed their opposition to the bill. 'Ontario must remain competitive,' says province In a written statement, a spokesperson for the province said it is focused on creating conditions to allow businesses to confidently invest in Ontario. "In the face of growing global economic uncertainty and ongoing U.S. tariffs, Ontario must remain competitive in attracting and securing job-creating investments," wrote communications co-ordinator Meaghan Evans. "The proposed legislation is about unlocking Ontario's true economic potential. The duty to consult will not be compromised as part of this process." Bill 5 passed second reading on Tuesday and will now be studied by a committee before moving forward.
CBC
30-04-2025
- General
- CBC
Indigenous language program in northwestern Ontario threatened by lack of government funding
Social Sharing Sarah Nelson says she's been trying to reclaim Ojibway for years, which is why she's worried about the potential suspension of an Indigenous language revitalization program in Thunder Bay, Ont., that she's been part of since September. The program is delivered by Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM), a tribal council that represents eight First Nations in Treaty 9 and one First Nation in Robinson-Superior. Its language program has been offered in the northwestern Ontario city and several Matawa communities for two years. "I think my favourite thing is that they use mindfulness as a tool, so meditation at the beginning and the end of the class," said Nelson, a member of Couchiching First Nation who lives in Thunder Bay. "It really does, I think, have an impact on how you learn." Earlier this month, MFNM announced a lack of funding from the provincial and federal governments means it may not be possible to keep the program going. Language is identity. Languages support healing. Language is a way of life. - Sol Mamakwa, Kiiwetinoong MPP Sharon Nate, Matawa's CEO, says it costs between $2 million and $3 million to operate the program each year. While languages are a federal responsibility, most of the funding comes from federal and private agencies. Under the federal Indigenous Languages Act, the government must "support the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages," MFNM says. "The government of Canada must be held accountable for these obligations. We also urgently call on the province of Ontario to recognize its role in advancing reconciliation by stepping forward with tangible investments," Nate said in a news release. While enough money is left to sustain the program until the end of the school year, Nate said she isn't sure whether it can resume next fall. 'That's your identity, that's who you are' The program is called Matawa Waka Tere, which translates to "the meeting of the rivers on a fast-moving canoe." It was inspired by a Maori language revitalization project in New Zealand. Many of Matawa's fluent language speakers will pass away in the next five to 10 years, the tribal council says, which is why revitalizing Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree is a priority for the organization. Students have been able to take a Year 1 certificate program or Year 2 diploma program, which can then set them on the path toward being able to teach others. There were 94 graduates of Matawa's Year 1 program last year and more than 60 students currently enrolled in the program. It brought back a sense of identity and self-confidence in our peoples. - Sharon Nate, CEO, Matawa First Nations Management "The work has been important and it has been significant to our Matawa communities. They've created this program," Nate said during a virtual news conference earlier this month. "It brought back a sense of identity and self-confidence in our peoples." The Indian residential school system, which did not allow Indigenous people to speak their traditional languages, has caused significant language loss among First Nations people. "Colonialism has had a big impact on us, and I think language is the very most important part of all cultures, really," Nelson said. "It's the foundation." MFNM is calling on Canadian governments to take responsibility for language loss among Indigenous people by supporting programs like Waka Tere. "That's your identity, that's who you are, and to have that being stripped from you leaves you a sense of worthlessness — like, who are you?" Nate said. Department of Canadian Heritage responds CBC News reached out to Ontario's Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation department for comment on the province's support for Matawa's language program, but did not receive a response. At the federal level, a spokesperson for the Department of Canadian Heritage provided an emailed response. On its website, the government says it has spent more than $725 million to support the Indigenous Languages Act, which aims to help Indigenous communities and organizations "reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages." "In 2023-24, Canadian Heritage worked with Indigenous partners to provide greater Indigenous control over funding and long-term agreements, to be more responsive to the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, who are best positioned to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen their languages," said Ines Akué, team leader for media relations at the department. "In Ontario, the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education [Centres] is the designated organization responsible for administrating funding to support First Nations language projects and activities such as the Matawa Waka Tere program." Akué did not specify how much money has gone to the Matawa Waka Tere program or if that funding would continue. Calls for action at all levels Last spring, Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa made history by becoming the first person to speak a language besides English or French in the Ontario Legislature: Anishininiimowin, known in English as Oji-Cree. Mamakwa is a member of Kingfisher Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario and an Indian residential school survivor. Ontario MPP speaks in an Indigenous language at Queen's Park for 1st time 11 months ago Duration 3:21 New Democrat Sol Mamakwa spoke to the Ontario Legislature in Anishininiimowin on Tuesday, known in English as Oji-Cree. For the first time, the Ontario legislature allowed, interpreted and transcribed a language other than English and French. As CBC's Lorenda Reddekopp explains, it also led to a commitment from the government. "It's a space that is very colonial and I never thought that I would be able to do that," Mamakwa said of using his language at Queen's Park. The thought of Matawa's language program being suspended concerns him, and he wants to see the provincial and federal governments do more to support courses like it. He also called on language speakers themselves to pass along their knowledge to the next generation. "At the community level, we need to start teaching them when they're young, which starts [with] speaking at home, but also having these immersion programs.
