Ottawa tells chiefs to submit questions before meeting with PM on major projects bill
By Alessia Passafiume Ottawa has asked First Nations chiefs to submit their questions in advance of their meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney next week to discuss his government’s controversial major projects bill. Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act, allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects like mines, ports and pipelines by sidestepping existing laws. Carney promised to meet with First Nations after chiefs said their rights were not respected by the rush to push the bill through Parliament. The invitation to the July 17 meeting shared with The Canadian Press shows the government is giving chiefs until July 16 to submit questions they want answered, and says they will have the option to vote on which questions will be posed by their peers. The invitation...
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Evacuees arrive in Winnipeg as wildfires force thousands out, bring smoke advisories
By Steve Lambert Evacuees continued to arrive in Winnipeg by the busload Friday as a renewed round of wildfires put thousands out of their homes – some for a second time – while thick smoke shrouded much of Manitoba. More than 3,000 residents were being airlifted out of Garden Hill First Nation, 480 kilometres north of Winnipeg, ahead of out-of-control fires. Misty Harper said she left Garden Hill with her five children and husband Thursday morning. They spent up to nine hours at an airport before they got on a smaller plane to Winnipeg. “All the kids were getting tired and moody. Everybody was getting hungry, so it was really stressful,” she said about the journey to a Winnipeg recreation centre that is housing wildfire evacuees. She said Friday at...
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Ontario environment minister apologizes for ‘confusion’ over clean water bill letter
By Liam Casey Ontario’s environment minister has apologized to First Nation chiefs for any “confusion” his letter caused when he asked the federal government to not reintroduce a bill that would enshrine clean drinking water rights in law. But many First Nations are not accepting what they call a meaningless apology and still want Todd McCarthy fired. Anishinabek Nation Grand Chief Linda Debassige says McCarthy’s letter is insulting and the biggest issue is that he has not withdrawn his ask of the federal government. Last month, McCarthy and Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz wrote to federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin asking her to move away from legislation that they say would “delay project development and undermine competitiveness.” They singled out Bill C-61, legislation introduced in the last Parliament that sought...
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‘That is true reconciliation’: First Nation celebrates gift of land
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com BIIGTIGONG NISHNAABEG — Chief Duncan Michano says Saturday will be an emotional day. That’s the day the chief of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg is scheduled to meet Martha Mason, the representative of a southern Ontario family that is formally donating to the community 165 acres of land in the North Shore First Nation’s traditional territory, which has been owned by her and her relatives for over a century. Michano told Newswatch on Thursday this is what reconciliation looks like in action. “They did that out of the kindness of their hearts,” he said. “I love those people — I haven’t met (Martha) yet, but I’m probably going to cry when I meet her.” “That is true reconciliation.” The Mason family will be honoured on...
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First Nations-owned housing project aims to have people moving in this fall
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com DRYDEN — A new four-dozen unit development will help with a housing shortage in the Dryden area, says the head of the organization behind the project. The 48-unit housing build on Duke Street in Dryden is nearing completion and Jacob Dockstator, the executive director of the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord Economic Development Corporation, says they’re expecting occupancy to begin in October or November. “It’s going to be addressing the … housing shortages in Dryden,” Dockstator said. “And also looking to the future with the (Nuclear Waste Management Organization) coming to the region, there’s going to be a lot of growth, so we want to be able to realize on that as well.” The economic development corporation is jointly owned by four area...
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Montreal will not agree to stop dismantling homeless encampments, despite new report
By Maura Forrest The City of Montreal won’t promise to stop dismantling homeless encampments, in spite of a recommendation from a study it commissioned to find solutions to the growing problem of homelessness in the city. City officials on Thursday said taking down encampments is a “last resort” but at times it’s necessary to protect the safety of people in and around the sites. “The encampments are a bit like the tree that hides the forest,” said Robert Beaudry, the city’s executive committee member responsible for fighting homelessness, during a press conference at city hall. “What is the forest? … It’s the glaring lack of resources in Montreal, in Quebec, for people experiencing chronic homelessness.” His comments followed the publication of a new report that decries a lack of leadership...
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N.S. opposition call government out over withholding environmental racism report
By Lyndsay Armstrong Nova Scotia’s provincial opposition parties are criticizing the government for continuing to keep a year-old report on environmental racism out of the public eye. Their comments came after Becky Druhan, minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, told reporters Thursday that government has requested a meeting with the environmental racism panel that created the report to “discuss with them before sharing any additional information.” The report was completed by an eight-member panel appointed in June 2023 to look at how racism affects a community’s natural environment in Nova Scotia. Environmental racism is a form of systemic racism where environmentally hazardous activities like landfills, trash incinerators, coal plants and toxic waste facilities are set up near Black and racialized communities or Indigenous territories. The report...
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Manitoba is under provincewide emergency order as wildfires continue to burn
Manitoba is under a provincewide state of emergency as wildfires continue to rage, forcing even more evacuations out of northern communities. The government declared the order Thursday, for the second time this year, and with the latest round of fires and evacuations, the province reported more than one million hectares burned — more than 10 times the average over the last 20 years. In total, about 12,600 people are out of their homes in Manitoba. The government gave notice that it intends to use Winnipeg’s major convention centre to house evacuees. The military stepped in Wednesday evening with a large Hercules transport plane to fly people out of Garden Hill First Nation as fires approached. The community of more than 3,000 residents is some 500 kilometres north of Winnipeg and...
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Pride Toronto must return to its political roots, advocates say as sponsors leave
By Cassidy McMackon As a major funding shortfall looms over Pride Toronto, some prominent LGBTQ+ advocates say it’s high time to rethink the organization’s corporate partnerships and return to its political grassroots. Ahead of last month’s Pride parade, organizers sounded the alarm over Pride Toronto’s $900,000 shortfall after sponsors such as Google, Nissan, Home Depot and Clorox pulled their support. Pride Toronto executive director Kojo Modeste attributed the corporate withdrawals to backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States, though some of the companies said their decisions were made solely because of budgetary considerations. Although this year’s festivities went ahead as planned, Modeste warned that next year’s Pride festival may have to be scaled back. Fatima Amarshi, a former executive director of Pride Toronto, says this is...
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B.C. man says son conceived in residential school abuse, both sue church
By Darryl Greer A British Columbia father and son are suing the Anglican Church of Canada, alleging the son was conceived as a result of sexual abuse by a female employee of St. Michael’s Indian Residential School in Alert Bay in the late 1960s. The lawsuit says the father was 14 years old when he was victimized by a school supervisor in 1968, and he settled a lawsuit with the church in 2008 over the alleged sexual assault at the school on Cormorant Island, northeast of Vancouver Island. Court documents filed this week in B.C. Supreme Court say the plaintiffs only recently found out they were related, leading to a “traumatic reunion,” and their relationship has been confirmed by DNA testing. The notice of civil claim says the father, now...
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Wildfires force evacuations of Garden Hill, Snow Lake in northern Manitoba
By Steve Lambert The wildfire threat is worsening in northern Manitoba, prompting alerts and evacuations for at least two more communities. Garden Hill First Nation, a fly-in community with a population of more than 3,000, is being threatened by fire. Eleanor Olszewski, the federal minister for emergency management, posted on social media Thursday morning that Ottawa has approved Manitoba’s request for armed forces support and evacuations in the Garden Hill area are underway. The Town of Snow Lake also issued a mandatory evacuation order and has told its 1,000 residents to stay with friends or family or at a shelter 600 kilometres south in Winnipeg. Mayor Ron Scott said the situation is frustrating, as this is the second time this year the town has had to evacuate. “We anticipated that...
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Hydro-Québec halts work at Gull Island in wake of Innu blockade
By Heidi Atter & Frey Blake-Pijogge, Local Journalism Initiative Reporters, The Independent Hydro-Québec has suspended geological survey work after a group of Innu land defenders blockaded the road into Gull Island, an area of the Churchill River (or Mishta-shipu, in Innu-aimum) that is culturally important to the Innu and the place where Newfoundland and Labrador and Québec hope to massively expand hydroelectric development. In recent days, work trailers were moved onto the site, following the signing of a proposed agreement-in-principle between Hydro-Québec and the Innu Nation, which represents the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish in Labrador. “They want to start the survey on the land,” said Matthew Andrew, one of the land defenders at the site, through a translator. “They’re not telling the community members.” Andrew and other land...
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The capital competition that nearly broke Nunavut 30 years ago
By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News For all 25 years of Nunavut’s existence, Iqaluit has been its uncontested capital. But 30 years ago, the question of which community should be the capital of the future territory was anything but uncontested. So on Nunavut Day — when Nunavummiut celebrate Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot residents coming together to create Canada’s newest member of Confederation — here is the story of a vote that nearly broke them apart. “Even before the territory became known, people started debating,” says Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa, who supported the idea of Iqaluit being the territory’s capital. The debate intensified with the signing of the Nunavut Agreement on July 9, 1993. The land claims agreement between Inuit and the federal government started the ball rolling...
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Sunshine, celebrations brighten Nunavut Day in Iqaluit
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says Nunavummiut have a lot to be proud of as hundreds gathered to celebrate Nunavut Day in Iqaluit. “When I look across this area and see so many people, I just feel that there is so much to celebrate today,” Simon told a crowd at Nakasuk Elementary School. “When the territory was created, a lot of a lot of things happened. I think there will always be challenges in our lives, and we will have to continue working to improve life in our communities. But we must also recognize the achievements that you’ve made in the territory.” Simon told the crowd to “feel the connection you have with one of the most special places on Earth.” Her...
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Manitoba’s police watchdog investigating after officer kills dog on FirstNation
The agency tasked with investigating Manitoba’s police says it’s looking into the shooting death of a dog on a First Nation. The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba says an officer with the Manitoba First Nations Police Service went to make an arrest Wednesday at a house on Swan Lake First Nation, southwest of Winnipeg. No arrest was made, but the officer was bitten by a dog while leaving the home. The agency says the officer returned a short time later and shot and killed the dog. It asks witnesses or anyone with information to contact the unit. No further details were provided, as the investigation is ongoing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025. ...
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Charges against Canadian Army members in anti-government terror plot raises alarms about right-wing extremism
By Kawser Ahmed Adjunct Professor Political Science department, University of Winnipeg This week, the RCMP arrested four men in Québec, alleging they were attempting to create an anti-government militia. The RCMP used the umbrella term “Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism” to categorize the suspects. Essentially, this means the RCMP alleges they share violent right-wing ideologies. Their arrests raise questions about whether Canada’s problem with right-wing extremism is getting worse. The group is accused of storing explosive devices, dozens of firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The RCMP seized all of it, and the four suspects are due to appear in Québec City court next week. Three are charged with facilitating a terrorist activity, along with weapon-possession offences. The suspects include active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, according to the...
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Hydro-Québec suspends work at planned electric station in Labrador amid protests
Quebec’s hydro utility said Thursday it has suspended work at a planned hydroelectric station in traditional Innu territory in Labrador amid protests by some residents. Hydro-Québec spokesperson Lynn St-Laurent said the utility is monitoring the situation in the Gull Island area with a commitment to understanding the demonstrators’ concerns. “We recognize the cultural, historical, and spiritual importance of the Gull Island territory for Innu communities,” St-Laurent said in an email. “We respect the right of community members to express their concerns.” Hydro-Québec said earlier this week it was set to begin geotechnical and environmental studies in the area, in preparation for future construction work. The utility announced a tentative agreement last year with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to build a hydroelectric generating station at Gull Island, along the Churchill River...
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Manitoba renews provincewide emergency order as wildfires rage, forcing thousands out
By Steve Lambert Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew again declared a provincewide state of emergency Thursday, as renewed wildfires forced thousands out of their homes, some for the second time in weeks. Kinew said the order, the second since late May, is critical to rally resources. “We’re going to be asking Manitobans to be helping out in a number of ways,” Kinew told a news conference. “We want to underscore just how serious this wildfire season is.” The announcement came as Garden Hill First Nation, a fly-in community with more than 3,000 people, ordered everyone out ahead of an out-of-control fire. Kinew said the military is helping with multiple flights in Hercules aircraft out of the community, 480 kilometres north of Winnipeg. Snow Lake, a town 600 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg,...
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Pottahawk Sunday will see OPP patrolling water and on site at marinas
NORFOLK COUNTY, ON -It’s Pottahawk weekend and the Norfolk County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is once reminding the public to make safety their number one priority during this year’s Pottahawk Sunday on Lake Erie. OPP respond yearly to incidents at Pottahawk Point, many involving alcohol-related issues, impaired boating and in other cases, individuals are left stranded with no safe way to return to shore. The OPP are encouraging boaters to avoid picking up unknown passengers and to make responsible choices on the way. Officers will be present at local marinas and patrolling the water to ensure a safe experience for everyone in attendance. Police will conduct random vessel checks throughout the day to ensure boats are equipped with the required safety equipment. Designated safety lanes must always...
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Quadeville OPP to hold community meeting after child attack, youth has been charged
QUADEVILLE, ON – A 17-year-old male is facing attempted murder charges in connection with an attack on a child in Quadeville, southeast of Barry’s Bay in June. The Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), OPP Emergency Response Team and Canine Units all responded Monday, June 23, 2025 to a report of a missing child in Quadeville. The OPP Canine Unit located the eight-year-old child just before 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The child, sustaining life-threatening injuries, was transported to hospital, and remains under the care of medical professionals. OPP said during the investigation, the cause of the victim’s injuries was unclear. OPP said while early evidence suggested a possible animal attack, investigators did not rule out human involvement. To aid in the investigation, multiple...
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