Latest news with #treatyRights
CBC
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
First Nation leaders tell Ford government to kill Bill 5
Critics of Doug Ford's Bill 5 say the proposed law would gut environmental protections for wildlife and infringe on treaty rights. As CBC's Mike Crawley reports, Ontario First Nations leaders are now warning of 'conflict on the ground' if it passes.
CBC
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Ontario First Nations leaders warn of 'conflict on the ground' if controversial Bill 5 passes
Ontario First Nations leaders say they want the province to kill a controversial bill they say infringes on treaty rights, and are warning of "conflict on the ground" if it passes. Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, includes major changes to the province's endangered species and environmental protection laws. The bill would create "special economic zones" that would suspend provincial and municipal laws for certain projects. Premier Doug Ford has said the Ring of Fire mineral deposit in northern Ontario and his proposed tunnel under Highway 401 would be given that special status under the proposed law. Since it was tabled last month, the bill has drawn criticism from First Nations, environmentalists and legal advocates, who have said the proposed law would gut environmental protections for wildlife and infringe on treaty rights. WATCH | Environmental groups alarmed about Bill 5's potential impacts: Environment groups raise alarm about Ontario bill that would weaken species protection 1 month ago Duration 2:20 Some environmental groups are raising concerns about a bill introduced recently by the Ontario government that proposes to replace the Endangered Species Act. As Lorenda Reddekopp reports, the groups worry it would water down species protection. Alvin Fiddler, grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, said if the bill is passed, First Nations communities will take a stand. "There will be conflict on the ground, and those that oppose it will most likely end up in jail," said Fiddler, who represents 49 First Nations in north Ontario. "That is where we're heading." Chief says province has duty to consult Shelley Moore-Frappier was one of many chiefs who were at Queen's Park Monday to oppose the bill, which is currently being considered by the province's standing committee. At a news conference, she said the bill doesn't align with the province's obligations under Treaty 9, including the duty to consult. "If First Nations are not involved in making decisions, not respected or taken seriously, it's safe to assume many will object, and developments will stall and get tied up in court," said Moore-Frappier, who is chief of Temagami First Nation. "We're not against development," she said. "But that doesn't mean we'll stand by while our lands and rights are steamrolled by a short-sighted desire for profit and prestige." Linda Debassige, grand council chief of Anshinabek Nation in Ontario, said the province is "trying to legislate us out of the conversation." "I caution the government," she said, "should this bill proceed in its current form, we will be idle no more." Debassige was suggesting a repeat of the Idle No More movement that began in 2012 and led to countrywide protests, including road and rail blockades. Minister says province willing to consider changes The Ford government has said the bill is intended to speed up approvals as an urgent response to the economic threats posed by U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs. The Progressive Conservatives have also said the bill doesn't take away treaty rights, but Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said Monday that the province is willing to consider changes. "To work in good faith with First Nations leaders to strengthen the bill, to get it right, we're open to making improvements to the bill," he said. "We already have made some, but I think there's more work to do." Ontario's Regional Chief for the Chiefs of Ontario, however, told reporters Monday that First Nations leaders aren't asking for amendments. They want the province to start over and involve First Nations in drafting a new bill. "Nobody has said, 'Change this and it's okay,'" said Chief Abram Benedict, who advocates for all 133 First Nations in the province. "We're not against jobs. We're not against creating a stronger economy, but it has to be done in a respectful way." Benedict met with Ford and Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford at the premier's home on Thursday following a first contentious day of committee hearings about Bill 5. Benedict said he told Ford that the legislation, as it is currently written, is unacceptable and that consultation must occur with each First Nation, not umbrella organizations like his. The NDP put forth a motion Monday seeking to hold an additional day of committee hearings on the bill in Thunder Bay, a repeat of a motion put forward by MPP Sol Mamakwa last week. The Progressive Conservatives voted against it. Ford to meet with Indigenous leaders about bill Rickford said Monday that Ford has agreed to sit down with Indigenous leaders to discuss the bill. But ministers would not answer whether the government is prepared to delay the bill's passage to pursue further consultation. Despite his minister's pledge to listen to outraged First Nations, Ford said there was lots of support for the bill. "There's opposition with the radical environmentalists, not everyone else," he said. "People want jobs, they want to create wealth and opportunity and prosperity."
CBC
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Dene Nation organizes protest against Alberta separatism at N.W.T. Legislative Assembly
Danielle Smith is among the premiers at this week's meetings. In her province, the separatist Alberta Prosperity Project is gunning for a referendum on the matter. Some First Nations are worried about what that could mean for treaty rights.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Alberta government amends referendum bill in effort to placate First Nations' concern
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Justice Mickey Amery announce proposed changes to several pieces of democratic process legislation, in Edmonton on Tuesday April 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON — Alberta's government has made 11th-hour changes to controversial proposed legislation, declaring that no separation referendum question could threaten First Nations' existing treaty rights. Premier Danielle Smith's government is working to considerably lower the threshold to allow for citizen-initiated referendums, including whether the province should separate from Canada. Her government's proposed bill has yet to become law, but it's faced backlash from Indigenous leaders since its introduction in the house more than two weeks ago. Justice Minister Mickey Amery said Wednesday the United Conservative Party government has heard concerns from First Nations on how such a referendum might affect treaty rights. 'We are listening,' he said. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine and Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro were quick to release a statement saying the amendment 'means nothing,' and the proposed bill still needs to be shredded. 'We have heard from many treaty people; we are united in our resistance. None of us will back down,' they said, noting a protest is planned Thursday at the legislature grounds in Edmonton. 'Now that your government has thrown these legislative grenades, in the matter of two weeks, you will take five months off while the rest of us work hard,' they wrote. Opposition NDP Indigenous relations critic Brooks Arcand-Paul said during debate in the house, the government's amendment does nothing more than commit the province to what it is already legally obligated to do. He said the UCP is merely paying lip service to Indigenous people. 'It is reprehensible,' Arcand-Paul said. 'This government fails abhorrently when it comes to consultation. I look forward to the legal challenges that come,' Arcand-Paul told the assembly. Earlier Wednesday, NDP Deputy Leader Rakhi Pancholi told reporters that adding a line to the bill wouldn't legally be enough to respect the rights to consultation that Indigenous peoples have in the province. 'Fundamentally, any conversation about separatism, any conversation about Alberta -- unilaterally or through a referendum process -- removing itself from Canada, means we are already violating our treaty rights,' she said. Premier Smith has said she doesn't support separating her province from Canada, but Albertans have genuine grievances with the federal government, and she wants concessions from Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney. She has argued that Alberta, particularly its oil and gas industry, has been undermined for a decade by anti-business policies and laws from the federal Liberals. While Smith has said she's working to gain respect for Alberta within a united Canada, she doesn't want to see the Alberta separatist movement grow into a large, mainstream political party. In a Tuesday letter to First Nations chiefs representing the Blackfoot Confederacy, Treaty 8 First Nations, Treaty 6 First Nations, and Treaty 7 First Nations, Premier Smith appealed for their help in directly lobbying Ottawa for a 'fair share' of federal funding for Alberta. She offered Wednesday's amendment to her government's legislation as a gesture of goodwill. Smith said federal funding represents an injustice to First Nations in Alberta, and cited the 'treasured relationship' between First Nations and the province to argue for taking a united case to Ottawa. 'I hope we can walk this path together for everyone we represent,' wrote Smith. A second amendment from the government passed Wednesday addresses one of several major concerns aired last week by chief electoral officer Gordon McClure. McClure has said some of the bill's changes would effectively kill the election commissioner's ability to investigate and enforce compliance with election law, including by limiting investigations into financial contribution rules and limits to one year instead of three. Minister Amery said an amendment introduced Wednesday to the bill would lengthen that timeline to two years after alleged wrongdoing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Alberta government amends referendum bill in effort to placate First Nations' concern
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Justice Mickey Amery announce proposed changes to several pieces of democratic process legislation, in Edmonton on Tuesday April 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON — Alberta's government has made 11th-hour changes to controversial proposed legislation, declaring that no separation referendum question could threaten First Nations' existing treaty rights. Premier Danielle Smith's government is working to considerably lower the threshold to allow for citizen-initiated referendums, including whether the province should separate from Canada. Her government's proposed bill has yet to become law, but it's faced backlash from Indigenous leaders since its introduction in the house more than two weeks ago. Justice Minister Mickey Amery said Wednesday the United Conservative Party government has heard concerns from First Nations on how such a referendum might affect treaty rights. 'We are listening,' he said. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine and Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro were quick to release a statement saying the amendment 'means nothing,' and the proposed bill still needs to be shredded. 'We have heard from many treaty people; we are united in our resistance. None of us will back down,' they said, noting a protest is planned Thursday at the legislature grounds in Edmonton. 'Now that your government has thrown these legislative grenades, in the matter of two weeks, you will take five months off while the rest of us work hard,' they wrote. Opposition NDP Indigenous relations critic Brooks Arcand-Paul said during debate in the house, the government's amendment does nothing more than commit the province to what it is already legally obligated to do. He said the UCP is merely paying lip service to Indigenous people. 'It is reprehensible,' Arcand-Paul said. 'This government fails abhorrently when it comes to consultation. I look forward to the legal challenges that come,' Arcand-Paul told the assembly. Earlier Wednesday, NDP Deputy Leader Rakhi Pancholi told reporters that adding a line to the bill wouldn't legally be enough to respect the rights to consultation that Indigenous peoples have in the province. 'Fundamentally, any conversation about separatism, any conversation about Alberta -- unilaterally or through a referendum process -- removing itself from Canada, means we are already violating our treaty rights,' she said. Premier Smith has said she doesn't support separating her province from Canada, but Albertans have genuine grievances with the federal government, and she wants concessions from Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney. She has argued that Alberta, particularly its oil and gas industry, has been undermined for a decade by anti-business policies and laws from the federal Liberals. While Smith has said she's working to gain respect for Alberta within a united Canada, she doesn't want to see the Alberta separatist movement grow into a large, mainstream political party. In a Tuesday letter to First Nations chiefs representing the Blackfoot Confederacy, Treaty 8 First Nations, Treaty 6 First Nations, and Treaty 7 First Nations, Premier Smith appealed for their help in directly lobbying Ottawa for a 'fair share' of federal funding for Alberta. She offered Wednesday's amendment to her government's legislation as a gesture of goodwill. Smith said federal funding represents an injustice to First Nations in Alberta, and cited the 'treasured relationship' between First Nations and the province to argue for taking a united case to Ottawa. 'I hope we can walk this path together for everyone we represent,' wrote Smith. A second amendment from the government passed Wednesday addresses one of several major concerns aired last week by chief electoral officer Gordon McClure. McClure has said some of the bill's changes would effectively kill the election commissioner's ability to investigate and enforce compliance with election law, including by limiting investigations into financial contribution rules and limits to one year instead of three. Minister Amery said an amendment introduced Wednesday to the bill would lengthen that timeline to two years after alleged wrongdoing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
