Latest news with #UNDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples
Global News
4 days ago
- General
- Global News
Minister says his comments on Indigenous consultation ‘eroded' trust
Justice Minister Sean Fraser apologized Wednesday for comments he made about the government's duty to consult with Indigenous leaders on major projects. Fraser said Tuesday that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires consultation but does not amount to 'a blanket veto power' over projects. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Fraser said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak called him Tuesday night to express her frustration with his comments, and he apologized. 'Despite innocent intentions, I think my comments actually caused hurt and potentially eroded a very precarious trust that has been built up over many years to respect the rights of Indigenous people in this country,' Fraser said. 'I've come into a position that I think is essential in the process of respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and I wanted to make sure that just not Chief Woodhouse but Indigenous leaders, Indigenous Peoples across this country know that my desire and the government of Canada's desire is to move forward on a relationship.' Story continues below advertisement 3:02 Carney calls for energy partnerships to make Canada a global superpower Woodhouse Nepinak said it's 'disheartening' when politicians make such comments and the government has made a series of missteps since her Thursday meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'When the prime minister's trying to start a relationship with First Nations in a good way, it's disheartening when comments are made later, twice now actually this week,' she said, citing Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty saying that work to fill the First Nations infrastructure gap won't qualify for Ottawa's push to fast-track what it calls 'nation-building' projects. 'And then (Fraser's) comment came yesterday and I was taken aback. He called to apologize. He needs to apologize to First Nations for those comments.' The UN declaration, which Canada adopted, requires free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous Peoples on matters affecting their rights, lands, territories and resources. Story continues below advertisement Fraser said talking about the declaration in terms of veto power makes an assumption that the government and Indigenous people are working against each another. 'In my experience engaging with Indigenous leaders, their perspective is one of wanting to have their rights respected and wanting to share in the benefits of development,' Fraser said. 'So, as we go forward, whether it's on the major projects initiative we'll be working on or any issue that touches on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, I want to be absolutely clear that our desire is to work in partnership and at every stage of the process, from project selection to conditions that may be imposed. We're going to engage, properly consult and work in partnership to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples.'
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Fraser apologizes, says comments on Indigenous consultation eroded trust
Published Jun 04, 2025 • 2 minute read Sean Fraser, then Canada's housing, infrastructure and communities minister. Photo by Arlyn McAdorey / Bloomberg OTTAWA — Justice Minister Sean Fraser apologized Wednesday for comments he made about the government's duty to consult with Indigenous leaders on major projects. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Fraser said Tuesday that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires consultation but does not amount to 'a blanket veto power' over projects. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Fraser said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak called him Tuesday night to express her frustration with his comments, and he apologized. 'Despite innocent intentions, I think my comments actually caused hurt and potentially eroded a very precarious trust that has been built up over many years to respect the rights of Indigenous people in this country,' Fraser said. 'I've come into a position that I think is essential in the process of respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and I wanted to make sure that just not Chief Woodhouse but Indigenous leaders, Indigenous Peoples across this country know that my desire and the government of Canada's desire is to move forward on a relationship.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Woodhouse Nepinak said it's 'disheartening' when politicians make such comments and the government has made a series of missteps since her Thursday meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. 'When the prime minister's trying to start a relationship with First Nations in a good way, it's disheartening when comments are made later, twice now actually this week,' she said, citing Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty saying that work to fill the First Nations infrastructure gap won't qualify for Ottawa's push to fast-track what it calls 'nation-building' projects. Woodhouse Nepinak said she was then taken aback by Fraser's comment. 'He called to apologize,' she said. 'He needs to apologize to First Nations for those comments.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The UN declaration, which Canada adopted, requires free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous Peoples on matters affecting their rights, lands, territories and resources. Fraser said talking about the declaration in terms of veto power makes an assumption that the government and Indigenous people are working against each another. 'In my experience engaging with Indigenous leaders, their perspective is one of wanting to have their rights respected and wanting to share in the benefits of development,' Fraser said. 'So, as we go forward, whether it's on the major projects initiative we'll be working on or any issue that touches on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, I want to be absolutely clear that our desire is to work in partnership and at every stage of the process, from project selection to conditions that may be imposed. We're going to engage, properly consult and work in partnership to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples.' Toronto & GTA Crime Celebrity World Sunshine Girls
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fraser apologizes, says comments on Indigenous consultation eroded trust
OTTAWA – Justice Minister Sean Fraser is apologizing today for comments he made about the government's duty to consult with Indigenous leaders on major projects. Fraser said Tuesday that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires consultation but does not amount to 'a blanket veto power' over projects. He says Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak called him to express her frustration with his comments last night and he has apologized. Fraser says his comments caused hurt and eroded 'a very precarious trust' with Indigenous people. He says the UN declaration requires a process based on respect and partnership between Indigenous Peoples and the Crown. Fraser says talking about the declaration in terms of veto power makes an assumption that the government and Indigenous people are working against one another. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
Global News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
First Nations, local governments ramp up opposition to B.C. ‘fast-track' bill
British Columbia's NDP government is facing more pushback on legislation aimed at fast-tracking major projects in the province. First Nations and municipal leaders joined together on Thursday to call for the government to withdraw Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, which would grant cabinet new powers to expedite 'provincially significant' projects. At a joint press conference, the First Nations Leadership Council and the Union of BC Municipalities said they hadn't been sufficiently consulted on the bill. 8:50 Political Panel: B.C.'s bill 15 controversy and Carney's Cabinet The legislation, as drafted, conflicts with the government's obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples while granting the province 'extraordinary powers' to override local government regulations, including zoning bylaws and official community plans, the groups said. Story continues below advertisement Union of British Columbia Municipalities president Trish Mandewo said that municipalities welcome the province's focus on speeding up housing construction. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'But not through transferring power from communities to Victoria,' she said. 'The provisions in Bill 15 constitute an unnecessary overreach by the province into local decision-making.' 1:39 B.C. government to fast-track major resource projects and mines Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, said Bill 15 and the similar Bill 14, which aims to streamline renewable energy project approvals, defy the province's stated commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. 'First Nations are not opposed to responsible development, and we understand the need to expedite the approval and construction of hospitals, schools, and other critical infrastructure,' he said. 'But Bills 14 and 15 go well beyond that, and the process that led to their development flouted First Nations' basic human rights and the province's own law, policy, and processes. There's only one way forward: the province must withdraw the bills as currently drafted, and we must work on principled solutions to the myriad of crises we face together.' Story continues below advertisement B.C. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma has previously admitted that the province 'made an error' in not adequately consulting First Nations on Bill 15. But the provincial government has rejected criticism from First Nations and environmental groups, saying the bill does not change environmental standards or affect First Nations constitutional right to consultation on projects. The Opposition BC Conservatives have called for the province to pull the bill to allow for more consultation, while the BC Greens say they will not support the bill.
Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Malaysia accused of failing MA63 and indigenous rights
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 Text Size: Indigenous leader Dato' Petinggi Andrew Ambrose Atama Katama has accused the Malaysian government of failing to uphold the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and violating the rights of indigenous peoples in Sabah and Sarawak. Speaking on behalf of Defenders of Ancestral Lands Sabah (Mopot), Atama condemned decades of unfulfilled promises, including equitable revenue-sharing, land rights, and political representation. Advertisement He highlighted that Sabah and Sarawak continue to suffer high poverty rates, 25.3pc and 12.9pc respectively, despite being resource-rich. 'The federal government has sidelined East Malaysia, eroding our constitutional rights and violating international commitments under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,' he said. Atama also criticised the misuse of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which he claims has been manipulated to favour Peninsular Malay interests at the expense of Bornean natives. Ahead of Malaysia's 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations, Mopot is calling for international scrutiny, demanding answers on land rights, revenue distribution, and access to basic services for indigenous communities. Advertisement 'Without restoring MA63 and indigenous rights, Malaysia's development claims remain a facade,' Atama said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
