‘Muzzling the process’: Ontario didn’t contribute to Ring of Fire assessment
By Fatima Syed and Carl Meyer Ontario has not been involved in the federal government’s regional assessment of the Ring of Fire, withholding scientific data and funding needed to understand the impact of mining development, even as the province ushers it through. The province is absent in the regional assessment working group’s interim report, released Feb. 23. In multiple instances, the group, made up of representatives from 15 First Nations and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, makes clear Ontario has yet to sign on. There is still an “opportunity for collaboration with the province of Ontario in the regional assessment,” the group wrote in the report. The group said it’s preparing what “specific information” it will need to request from the province. Ontario’s absence is notable as the Doug...
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ATCO investing $10 million in company building Nunavut port-and-road project
ATCO Ltd. is taking on a 40 per cent ownership stake in an Inuit-led road-and-port project in Nunavut. The Calgary-based company says it will provide about $10 million in a staged investment to West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. WKR is developing the Grays Bay Road and Port Project, which has been referred to the newly established federal major projects office. The office was set up last year to speed infrastructure developments deemed to be in the national interest. The WKR project includes a new deepwater port on the Northwest Passage, a 230-kilometre all-season road connecting to the Northwest Territories boundary and a more than 1,800-metre airstrip. The companies say the Grays Bay Road and Port project could have military and civilian uses, and would help create the first overland connection between...
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Canada’s migratory caribou are under threat. Will we act before it’s too late?
By Benjamin Larue, Allen Niptanatiak and Amanda Dumond Delegates are gathering in Campo Grande, Brazil, for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) on the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. The meeting aims to address growing threats to migratory animals — from birds and whales to large land mammals. The outcome could matter for caribou — one of Canada’s most recognizable wildlife species, immortalized on the country’s 25-cent quarters. Canada has not ratified the convention, but COP15 still matters here: it sets global norms and shines an international spotlight on a crisis unfolding in Canada’s North. Every year, migratory tundra caribou travel hundreds — sometimes thousands — of kilometres across the Arctic and subarctic. These journeys are the longest known terrestrial migrations on Earth. As...
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B.C. mulls changes to weaken DRIPA, shares secret document with First Nations leaders
By Alessia Passafiume British Columbia Premier David Eby’s government is considering amendments that would weaken a landmark reconciliation law that says the province will take “all measures” to align the rights of Indigenous Peoples with existing provincial legislation.. Amendments to the law proposed in a confidential letter sent to some First Nations leaders in the province Monday and shared with The Canadian Press say the government is to provide for “ongoing processes” toward aligning select legislation with the provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA, was passed in 2019. It’s based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which requires free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous Peoples on matters affecting their...
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Gov. Gen. Mary Simon honours former judge, sex worker champion with Order of Canada
By Nick Murray and Alessia Passafiume Former Chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Joe Miskokomon joined a Supreme Court justice, a medical pioneer, two broadcasters and a champion for sex workers were all invested into the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Thursday. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said it was a privilege to honour these individuals as their names join a long list of distinguished Canadians who have helped the country “move together toward reconciliation, truth and inclusion.” “You push boundaries and inspire us to reach higher, and through acts of generosity that support people in need, you remind us of the power of compassion,” Simon said during her speech at Thursday’s investiture ceremony. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak and the...
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Inuk musician, Susan Aglukark to be honoured at Six Nations
By Sam Laskaris A local artistic group is honouring Inuk singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark on Wednesday. The Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA), whose head office is based in Six Nations, is staging a luncheon ceremony at Yogi’s Barn in Ohsweken. The event is scheduled to commence at noon and run until 3 p.m. About 100 people have been invited to the event, including Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill. Aglukark was born in Manitoba city of Churchill. But she grew up in the Inuit hamlet of Arviat, in in what is now known as the territory of Nunavut. In 1995, Aglukark captured a pair of trophies at the JUNO Awards, annually held to recognize Canada’s top musicians. She was named as the best new solo artist and also took top honours...
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ROPE Squad seeks public’s help in locating federal offender
Kingston, ON – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of their Statutory Release. Wesley Hall is described as an Caucasian male, 44, 5’6″(168 cm), 140 lbs (64 kg), with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has several tattoos; Right Side of Neck- ‘JASMINE’ Neck – Flaming Eyeball Left Forearm – Skull, Mickey Mouse with Knife and Severed Head Left Upper Arm- ‘WES’, Clown, Chinese Symbol Right Forearm-‘JAZZY’ Upper Torso Back – ‘WESLEY’ Hall is serving a 2-year sentence for; Possession of Weapons for Dangerous Purpose Utter Threats to Cause Death Theft Under $5000 (x3) Public Mischief Fail to Comply with Order – At Large (X2) The offender is...
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Some evacuees returning for spring hunt as water repairs continue
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com KASHECHEWAN – With the spring hunt coming up, some people are returning to a Far North community that’s been evacuated for months, though the majority of members remain displaced, says leadership. Kashechewan First Nation’s executive director Tyson Wesley said about 150 people are travelling back from five host communities — Niagara Falls, Kingston, Timmins, Cochrane and Kapuskasing — as part of preparations for the spring hunting season. The community of about 2,000 people was evacuated in January after its water supply and sewage systems failed, and the spread of cryptosporidium. The target timeline is to return all evacuees to the community within approximately 10 weeks. “I think the cryptosporidium has definitely run its course among our people,” he said. “We haven’t really had...
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Here’s what to know as the scope of damage from Hawaii’s floods becomes clearer
By Audrey Mcavoy And Gene Johnson HONOLULU (AP) — The worst flooding to hit Hawaii in two decades swept homes off their foundations, floated cars out of driveways and left floors, walls and counters covered in thick, reddish volcanic mud. Crews continued to assess the destruction Monday, but authorities said hundreds of homes had been damaged, along with some schools and a hospital. No deaths have been reported, but more than 230 people had to be rescued. Rain continued to the southeastern part of the state and a section of the Big Island was under a flash flood warning. Here’s what to know as residents begin to clean up. This was Hawaii’s worst flooding since 2004 Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including...
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Provincial government approves funding to plan new Paddle Prairie School
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News Northland School Division is in the early stages of replacing the more than 50-year-old Paddle Prairie School after the provincial government approved funding for its planning stage. Division board chair Tanya Fayant told Alberta Native News that a new Paddle Prairie School has “been a priority for Northland for a number of years.” The Peace River-based public school board’s 2025-2028 capital plan identifies a replacement Paddle Prairie School as its number one capital priority. According to the plan, enrollment at the K-12 school on Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement increased from 114 students in 2019 to 126 students in 2023, representing a 10.5 per cent increase, although enrollment is expected to remain stable over the next decade. Northland superintendent Cal Johnson...
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How B.C.’s ‘Defective’ Land titles Are Spooking Banks and Freezing Richmond’s Industrial Heartland
By John Wirth, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News A Landmark August 2025 B.C. Supreme Court ruling (Cowichan Tribes v. Canada) declared Aboriginal title over 1,800 acres of Richmond’s industrial heartland. The Legal Shift: For the first time, the court ruled that Indigenous title and private “fee simple” property coexist. However, Aboriginal title is the “senior interest,” effectively “burdening” existing deeds. The Economic Fallout: Banks are freezing credit. With “clear title” no longer guaranteed, a $35-million loan for a major industrial hub has already been pulled, rendering prime land “unmarketable.” The Historical Context: The crisis traces back to 1859 and the “dishonourable” land-flipping schemes of Colonel Richard Moody, who sold unceded territory he was tasked to protect. The Bottom Line: This isn’t a “takeover” of homes; it’s a reckoning...
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Auditor general says RCMP’s staff shortage got worse in recent years
By Kyle Duggan Royal Canadian Mounted Police staff shortages worsened after officials bet wrong on their recruitment needs and let rookie officers choose the locations of their first assignments, says the auditor general. In a new report tabled in Parliament on Monday, Auditor General Karen Hogan said the force set targets that fell far short of its own needs, then failed to recruit as many officers as planned despite a flood of applicants. The audit found the federal police force was short about 3,400 officers in fall 2025. Hogan also said a flexible posting policy introduced to boost recruitment produced uneven staffing levels across the country and worsened shortages in the North, the Prairies and some Atlantic provinces. “Without fundamental changes, the RCMP will not be able to hire enough...
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Politicians praise Amanda Lathlin, first First Nations woman in Manitoba legislature
By Steve Lambert Politicians at the Manitoba legislature have paid tribute to Amanda Lathlin, a members of the NDP caucus who died after battling illness. Premier Wab Kinew sang an honour song in the chamber and praised Lathlin as a trailblazer and a caring representative of her constituents in the constituency of The Pas-Kameesak. Kinew and others laid flowers, a Manitoba flag and other items at Lathlin’s empty desk, and a book of condolences was set up at the bottom of the legislature’s grand staircase. Lathlin’s death was announced on Saturday and came a few weeks after she had taken a leave of absence due to health issues. Her father, Oscar Lathlin, was a longtime politician and NDP cabinet minister who died in 2008 while holding office. Lathlin was elected...
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Pipeline leak located more than a week after sheen first reported on Ontario river
By Jordan Omstead A pipeline leak in Sarnia, Ont., has been located more than a week after a sheen reportedly turned up on the St. Clair River. Sun-Canadian Pipe Line says it pinpointed the leak on Saturday morning, nine days after the company said it was made aware of it on March 12. Suncor, which operates a Sarnia refinery, told local media it had located a “hydrocarbon sheen” on the St. Clair River on March 11 and it had been contained. The major Canadian oil company later said the leak was believed to be from Sun-Canadian, which operates a refined oil pipeline between Sarnia and the Toronto area. Sun-Canadian says the impacted pipeline remains shut down and cleanup activities are ongoing to address the leak near Sun Avenue and St....
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Canadians plan to sail to Gaza despite detention risks
By Kathryn Mannie Canadians are planning to sail to Gaza again as part of a flotilla that aims to deliver aid and break a nearly 20-year naval blockade months after six Canadians were detained by Israel for attempting a similar mission. Safa Chebbi, spokesperson for the Canadian arm of the Global Sumud Flotilla, said more than 100 boats and 3,000 participants from around the globe are set to depart from Spanish and Italian ports on April 12, bound for Gaza. Chebbi said health-care workers, journalists and builders hoping to provide aid and help in Gazan reconstruction efforts will sail on the fleet of ships, along with medicine and other life-saving supplies. Hanging over the planned sailing is the possibility the boats will be intercepted by Israeli forces and passengers detained,...
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Bridgewater teen in court after threats to schools in Nova Scotia and Manitoba
By Devin Stevens A 15-year-old facing charges over threats to schools in Nova Scotia and Manitoba will remain in custody for at least another month. The teenager from Bridgewater, N.S., and a 14-year-old from Rivers, Man., were arrested last week with police alleging the two accused had talked online about simultaneously attacking schools in both provinces. Their arrest comes a few weeks after the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., where on Feb. 10, an 18-year-old girl shot and killed her mother and half-brother at home before gunning down five students and a teacher’s aide at a school. But while police allege the pair from Nova Scotia and Manitoba began talking online at the end of February, investigators say there’s no indication their alleged plans were spurred by the Tumbler...
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AI data centre near Regina will be largest data centre in Canada and largest investment in Canadian history
By Nicole Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The World-Spectator A $12 billion investment in an AI data centre near Regina will bring 1,600 jobs to Saskatchewan and is the third largest investment in Canadian history. The AI data centre would be the largest in Canada. On Monday, Premier Moe and Mirko Bibic, President and CEO of BCE Inc and Bell Canada, announced the data centre, saying it will be one of the largest projects in Saskatchewan’s history that will generate up to $12 billion in economic value. “The announcement of this facility is great news for Saskatchewan’s economy,” Moe said. “This investment by Bell Canada will create jobs, strengthen provincial research capacity and facilitate the creation of new businesses built on advanced capabilities.” Through the construction period, more than 800...
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Ontario to declare Toronto island airport a special economic zone
By Liam Casey and Allison Jones Ontario will declare Toronto’s island airport the province’s first special economic zone as it takes over land owned by the city, Premier Doug Ford said Monday in a move opposed by the mayor. This is the latest development in the Ford government’s push for an expansion of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to include jets. Ford said the “lefties” at city hall are in the way of expanding the island airport, which he called a “crown jewel for economic growth.” “This is long overdue, and this is the exact reason we’re doing it,” Ford said. “They don’t want to create more jobs. They don’t want to create economic development, they don’t want to create a competitive environment and convenience for the people of Toronto.”...
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Police Service Dog Mack Helps Brantford Police Locate Break-In Suspects
BRANTFORD ONT-Two people have been charged in connection with a break-in on Colborne Street after Brantford City Police brought in its canine unit. The Brantford Police Service (BPS) received information about a suspected industrial break-in near Colborne Street West and Canning Street at about 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21. Upon arrival the BPS launched a full search including not just patrol officers but a BPS K9 handler and a Police Service Dog named Mack to help conduct the property search. The tip the BPS received regarded a group of individuals who were observed within a fully fenced and locked compound at an industrial property. Upon initiating the search, officers observed that the building’s copper wire had been stripped. The BPS team on site later located the suspects, who were...
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Gull-Masty Makes Progress – New funding announced for Jordan’s Principle as backlog evaporates
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nation Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty announced February 26 the federal government will budget $1.55 billion to renew Jordan’s Principle funding over the next year. The investment intends to protect access to essential supports for First Nations children. “As a First Nations Minister, I understand what it is like to be a client of Indigenous Services Canada,” Gull-Masty told the Nation. “I have friends and family who regularly apply to Jordan’s Principle and, as a young mother, I would have applied to Jordan’s Principle had it been around when my children were young.” The child-first principle was established in 2007. It is named after Jordan River Anderson, a five-year-old boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. He died in 2005 during...
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