Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive Program Expands
By Carol Baldwin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Wakaw Recorder Saskatchewan’s Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive (RRRI) program is expanding to three more towns: Edam, Battleford and Hudson Bay, extending the eligibility to a total of 73 communities. Positions in Wakaw became eligible under the program in April of this year for certain permanent full-time positions. The incentive of up to $50,000 for a three-year return-in-service is offered to new, permanent full-time employees in nine high-priority health occupations in rural and remote communities experiencing or at risk of service disruptions due to staffing challenges. These high-priority positions include Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Combined Lab and X-Ray Technicians, Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Laboratory Technologists, Medical Radiation Technologists, Continuing Care Assistants, and Medical Laboratory Assistants. “The Rural and Remote Recruitment...
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House of Commons rises for six-week holiday break
By Alessia Passafiume The House of Commons has started its winter break — without the government’s lengthy budget implementation bill becoming law. House leader Steven MacKinnon told reporters outside the House of Commons Thursday the past 11 weeks of the fall sitting have seen “very hard work” by the government to protect jobs and reduce the cost of living. “For the last three months, the Conservatives have adopted and executed a clear political strategy that is self-serving and selfish,” MacKinnon said. “Their partisan strategy is simple: obstruct, obstruct, obstruct … But we did get results for Canadians, and we will continue to do that work when the House returns in the new year.” Just before the House rose, MPs passed two pieces of legislation — C-4 and C-12 — which...
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Racism, misunderstanding block Indigenous access to HIV care in Canada
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Trevor Stratton recalls the day he wandered out of a pharmacy without paying last summer. The pharmacist chased him down and scolded him — only to later confirm there had been no charge at all. Stratton, who was recovering from a seizure and unclear on his medication coverage, describes the experience as “disrespectful,” but also painfully familiar. A member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Stratton is an HIV activist diagnosed with the virus in 1990. He serves as a board member for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research and as the Indigenous leadership policy manager for Communities, Alliances and Networks. Experiences such as his, he said, are common for Indigenous people who face increased scrutiny in...
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BC First Nation calls on MP to cancel visit after he failed to reach out following grizzly attack
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The Nuxalk Nation on British Columbia’s central coast is urging their federal representative to cancel a planned visit to Bella Coola, saying he ignored their leadership and instead arranged to meet with a local gun club in the aftermath of a grizzly bear attack that left three children and a teacher severely injured. Ellis Ross, the Conservative MP for the Skeena–Bulkley Valley riding, has not communicated with the First Nation since the Nov. 20 incident. The Nuxalk only learned of Ross’s planned visit when they heard he had scheduled a meeting with the Bella Coola Rod and Gun Club for Dec. 13 — without the Nuxalk leadership. The club promoted the event as a discussion on “the current bear situation...
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Cowichan case blamed for sinking B.C. property deals, including luxury hotel purchase
By Nono Shen and Darryl Greer An Ontario company that put down a deposit to buy a luxury hotel in Richmond, B.C., pulled out of the deal worth tens of millions of dollars weeks later because of “uncertainty” caused by the landmark Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title ruling, according to the marketers of the property. Court documents show that the 14-storey Versante Hotel, close to Vancouver International Airport, was instead bought by a Hong Kong purchaser in October for the lower price of $51.5 million. The exact value of the withdrawn offer isn’t disclosed in documents related to the court-ordered sale, which was compelled by lenders to the project who said they were owed $113 million as of August. Commercial real estate firm Colliers says in a letter to the hotel’s...
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Court decision recognizes UNDRIP as law, but leads province to look at revising legislation
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa First Nations in B.C. may be entitled to raise their UNDRIP rights if they are not adequately consulted on natural resource projects within their territory, following a precedent-setting B.C. Court of Appeal decision released on Dec. 5. Ehattesaht Chief Counsellor Simon John says the court decision “provides important legal recognition of UNDRIP as a tool to help ensure that First Nations’ interests are respected and their role in decision making is realized.” “We know our lands, our waters here at home and want to be respected in how the Crown approaches us and want decisions to be made with us,” said Chief John in a media release. “We want investment, we want jobs and to grow our community, but mining here was...
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Handle with care: Moving centuries-old Hudson’s Bay charter a delicate operation
By Tara Deschamps In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the royal charter that created Canada’s oldest company was loaded onto a private plane in Toronto. Protected by a durable case that was not too hot, not too cold and sheltered from bright light, the 350-year-old document that birthed the Hudson’s Bay Co. made its way to Winnipeg aboard the aircraft. It was accompanied by a member of the retailer’s staff and a conservator specializing in paper documents — and its own armed security team, who never took their eyes off the artifact. When they landed, the charter was escorted to the Manitoba Museum, where more gloved conservators pored over every millimetre of the five-page vellum artifact and its wax seal, making detailed notes about the condition on arrival and...
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‘Systemic racism’: N.S. attorney general criticized by Mi’kmaw chiefs for cannabis crackdown
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post Action taken by the attorney general of Nova Scotia last week against cannabis dispensaries is being called “systemic racism” by at least one of the 13 chiefs of Mi’kmaw First Nations in Nova Scotia. Meanwhile, the chief of Membertou First Nation – which is in the process of community consultation to create its own regulations and practices – says a non-collaborative approach to the issue “has never, nor will ever, be appropriate or acceptable.” On Dec. 4, Justice Minister and Attorney General Scott Armstrong directed police across the province to crack down on illegal dispensaries and prioritize cannabis law enforcement. Sipekne’katik (Indian Brook) Chief Michelle Glasgow and her council responded to Armstrong saying they are appalled by the direct threat...
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Membertou leads way to zero emission lobster fishing
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post A groundbreaking initiative in the lobster fishing industry led by Membertou First Nation was announced in Halifax on Thursday as one of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster’s (OSC) five new ocean innovation projects valued at $34.5 million. The new Membertou project is a $4.4 million Membertou Electric Lobster Boat Commercial Demonstration Project known as Lektrike’l Walipotl and could create zero-emission commercial fishing in Canada. By integrating advanced electric propulsion systems and battery technology, the project hopes to transform the maritime industry’s approach to sustainability. Through a thorough operational trial, the project will demonstrate the reliability, efficiency, and economic viability of electric boats compared to traditional diesel-powered vessels. The Membertou project is in partnership with Allswater Marine, Oceans North, and Blue Grid, all...
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One person facing murder charge after infant death in northern Ontario
A 26-year-old is facing murder charges after a police investigation into the death of an infant in northern Ontario back in May. Ontario Provincial Police say Sioux Lookout detachment officers responded to a call on Sturgeon River Road about an unresponsive five-month-old child on May 9. Police say they conducted a thorough investigation with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. They say a 26-year-old from Sandy Lake First Nation has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and fail to provide the necessaries of life. Police say the accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Dryden on Thursday. They say Nishnawbe Aski Police Service and other OPP units were also involved in the investigation. This report...
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Infrastructure gap in Nunavut poses national security risk: CSIS
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has repeatedly warned the federal government about national security risks from poor infrastructure in Nunavut, according to the territory’s top CSIS official. The chief liaison for CSIS in Nunavut only gave a first name — Christian — when addressing the Nunavut Association of Municipalities’ annual general meeting at the Aqsarniit Hotel in Iqaluit on Nov. 11. CSIS has been ringing the alarm about poor infrastructure in Nunavut, Christian said. “The data that we collect from you in terms of what’s going on in Nunavut, this feeds our intelligence assessments, and our intelligence assessments go to policymakers in Ottawa. And for the last two years, we’ve been making a point to say the infrastructure gap...
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Membertou Chief Terry Paul to be inducted into Canadian Business Hall of Fame
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation in Cape Breton is among the inductees announced by the 2026 Canadian Business Hall of Fame. He has held the elected position of chief since 1984 and has led the community from hard times to becoming one of the most efficient and economically flourishing Indigenous communities in Canada. Membertou council, staff and community congratulated their chief and CEO of the past 41 years with words of praise and gratitude. “Chief Terry’s dedicated service and thoughtful business approach has progressed Membertou’s growth. He’s led the way in advocacy for the Mi’kmaq and building strong nation-to-nation partnerships,” they said in a public post on social media. A ceremony will take place on May 28, 2026...
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N.B. appeals court rules Wolastoqey Nation can’t fight Crown over private forest land
The New Brunswick Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of private logging corporations, in an Aboriginal title claim case launched by the Wolastoqey First Nation in 2021. The Wolastoqey Nation had been seeking a declaration of Aboriginal title on over half of the province, saying the land was unceded and sold by the Crown without their consent. As part of its case, the nation added land owned by logging companies J.D. Irving, H.J. Crabbe and Sons, and Acadian Timber to the title claim. Last year, a New Brunswick court ruled that the corporations did not have legal standing in the Wolastoqey Nation’s claim and removed them as appellants from the case. All three companies filed appeals of that decision. Appeals Court Justice Ernest Drapeau found that the court could...
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Nova Scotia premier defends widely-criticized cannabis crackdown order
Premier Tim Houston is defending his government’s crackdown on cannabis dispensaries, despite widespread and escalating criticism, saying he is concerned about the illegal market. The premier says illegal cannabis is a public health risk and may be tied to organized crime and human trafficking. His government’s order last week to ramp up cannabis enforcement has prompted criticism that his cabinet may be interfering with law enforcement to target First Nations communities. Sipekne’katik First Nation Chief Michelle Glasgow has called the province’s directive appalling, and says the premier, justice minister and minister of L’nu affairs are banned from band lands. A number of critics have raised concerns about the directive including the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, the former minister of justice and attorney general, several First Nations members, two...
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Town told to protect community space, not commercial growth, at hospital site
By Paige Seburn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Lake Report A new report prepared for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake shows that its residents favour uses that serve the community — and reject commercial ones — for the former hospital site at 176 Wellington St. From July to November, the town heard from more than 800 people through an online survey, a workshop, community boards, a community walk, three public information sessions, a meeting with Royal Oak Community School and engagement with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River. On Tuesday, council accepted a report presented by project lead Denise Horne of NPG Planning Solutions Inc. that pulls together those results. Staff plan to return in January with redevelopment options. People most often supported housing...
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Haldimand County investigating threat made to Caledonia high school
HALDIMAND COUNTY – Haldimand Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating after a threat was made to McKinnon Park Secondary School in Caledonia. OPP received a report of a threat Wednesday December 10, 2025, at about 5:00 p.m., that was made to McKinnon Park Secondary School in Caledonia. An OPP investigation found a large group of youth were connected via an online social media platform group chat where insults were exchanged and one individual linked to the group chat uttered a threat that concerned parents reported to police. The OPP said it is aware and has launched an investigation to “identify the individual responsible for this criminal offence.” Members of the OPP were present at the school today (Thursday Dec., 11, 2025) due to the reported threat. The OPP is also coordinating...
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QIA ‘extremely disappointed’ with Ottawa’s proposal to again award fishing licences to southern Indigenous group
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) says it is “extremely disapointed” with the federal government’s proposal to once again award Greenland halibut and northern shrimp fishing licences to the Nova Scotian First Nations Coalition Limited Partnership. According to the QIA, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ tentative plan to give the fishing licences to the Nova Scotia-based Mi’kmaq First Nations coalition undercuts Nunavut’s economy and the economic well-being of Inuit. “Inuit access to the commercial fishery still significantly trails the access enjoyed by southern jurisdictions — this has tangible impacts on Inuit and Nunavut’s economy and undermines Canadian security in the Arctic,” QIA President Olayuk Akesuk said on Dec. 9. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans said the option to...
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Eby promises business leaders to ‘go to the wall’ to protect private property
By Brieanna Charlebois VANCOUVER, B.C.-British Columbia Premier David Eby reassured business leaders at a BC Chamber of Commerce gathering in Vancouver about two recent First Nations court decisions, saying he would “go to the wall” to protect private property. The B.C. Supreme Court ruled in August that the Cowichan Tribes hold Aboriginal title over about 300 hectares of land on the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., in a decision that critics fear could undermine private land ownership across the province. B.C. and other defendants are appealing the ruling, with Eby saying his government is gathering evidence to pause the case, noting that the uncertainty it creates is “toxic” to the work with First Nations, businesses and the economy. The B.C. Court of Appeal also approved a challenge by two other...
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Third person charged in quadruple homicide in Saskatchewan
RCMP have charged a third person with murder in the deaths of four people on a Saskatchewan First Nation. Two men and two women were killed in February on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, east of Regina. Mounties say a 17-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder. They say the boy has also been charged with one count of attempted murder over an altercation with a fifth person. A 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were arrested in February and were also charged with four counts of first-degree murder. The victims were identified as 34-year-old Tracey Hotomani, 51-year-old Terry Jack, 44-year-old Sheldon Quewezance and 47-year-old Shauna Fay. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2025. ...
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Climate change is straining Alaska’s Arctic. A new mining road may push the region past the brink
By Annika Hammerschlag AMBLER, Alaska (AP) — Ice blocks drift past Tristen Pattee’s boat as he scans the banks of Northwest Alaska’s Kobuk River for caribou. His great uncle Ernest steadies a rifle on his lap. It’s the last day of September, and by every measure of history and memory, thousands should have crossed by now. But the tundra is empty, save for the mountains looming on the horizon — the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Days after Pattee’s unsuccessful hunt, the Trump administration approved construction of the Ambler Access Road— a 211-mile (340-kilometer) route designed to reach massive copper deposits that would cut through that wilderness, crossing 11 major rivers and thousands of streams where salmon spawn and caribou migrate. The approval, which is facing lawsuits though proponents...
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