Marten Falls signs historic $39.5-million agreement with Ontario
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source MARTEN FALLS — Youth on this remote reserve are “very excited” about a road link to Ontario highways and communities, Chief Bruce Achneepineskum said Thursday. They’re “very excited to know it’s going to happen in a few short years, that they’ll be able to drive in and out of our community,” he told reporters at a news conference in Toronto. The Marten Falls chief, Premier Doug Ford and Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford announced and signed a Community Partnership Agreement for development of the Marten Falls Community Access Road that will connect Achneepineskum’s fly-in community to highways. The road will also serve as a key link in the proposed road network leading to the Ring of Fire, where mining companies...
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Quebec Ombudsman releases report on Viens Commission
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The Quebec Ombudsman has released its fourth annual progress report on the implementation of the Viens Commission’s calls for action to address systemic discrimination towards Indigenous peoples across the province’s public sector. The report found that despite progress being made in select areas, the adoption of the majority of the calls to action have stagnated. Marjolaine Étienne, president of Quebec Native Women (QNW), called the lack of progress on implementing the Commission’s calls to action “deeply” concerning. “This report from the Ombudsperson confirms what we experience every day: despite timid progress, there remains a lack of genuine political will, an absence of co-construction, and ongoing precarity in the services meant to protect us,” Étienne said. The report also included four new recommendations...
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Nova Scotia releases environmental racism draft report, won’t commit to apology
By Lyndsay Armstrong Nova Scotia’s opposition parties are criticizing the government for failing to immediately apologize to Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities for the province’s history of environmental racism, more than a year after a panel of experts included this suggestion as part of a list of recommendations. The provincial government appointed the panel in 2023 to look at how environmentally hazardous projects like landfills, coal plants and toxic waste facilities have harmed racialized communities. On Wednesday, CBC reported on the draft of this panel’s report, which includes the recommendation that an apology be made by the Nova Scotia government. On Thursday, the government released a draft report, dated June 2024, that includes 11 recommendations, such as allocating more resources to Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian community groups, committing...
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Comments and reaction on Ottawa-Alberta pipeline memorandum of understanding
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed Thursday a memorandum of understanding that includes shared goals on green technology and a new oil pipeline to the West Coast to reach groundbreaking markets in Asia. It also opens the door to changes to the coastal tanker ban. Here are some of the comments and reaction: “In the face of global trade shifts and profound uncertainty, Canada and Alberta are striking a new partnership to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more independent Alberta and Canadian economy.” — Prime Minister Mark Carney — “Although I’m not blind to the fact the people of Alberta have had the rug pulled out from underneath them too many times to count over the past 10 years, I also know that a new...
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Steven Guilbeault quits Carney’s cabinet to protest pipeline deal
By Kyle Duggan Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault resigned from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet late Thursday to protest his government’s new pact with Alberta on a proposed new pipeline. The environmentalist and longtime climate activist was the face of the previous Liberal government’s ambitious climate agenda for more than half a decade. In a social media post Thursday, Guilbeault said he submitted his resignation to Carney that afternoon “with great sadness” — then spelled out his objections to the prime minister reversing many of the key environmental decisions made under the previous Liberal government. “Despite this difficult economic context, I remain one of those for whom environmental issues must remain front and centre,” he wrote. “That is why I strongly oppose the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and...
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Eby brands pipeline ‘energy vampire’ as First Nations vow it will never happen
By Ashley Joannou and Wolfgang Depner British Columbia Premier David Eby and First Nations have thrown up a wall of opposition to a proposed northern oil pipeline, after Alberta and the federal government signed a memorandum of understanding to work toward making it a reality. Eby said that the pipeline proposal was a distraction that had already cost B.C. another investment opportunity, dubbing it a potential “energy vampire” draining federal, Indigenous and provincial resources. He spoke in Victoria with most of his NDP caucus cheering him on from the steps of the B.C. legislature on Thursday. The memorandum of understanding, signed hours earlier by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Calgary, commits Canada and Alberta to working toward a northern pipeline to B.C.’s coast, with Alberta...
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Liberal MPs silent in Ottawa as Carney makes waves out west
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The Alberta-Ottawa pipeline agreement sparked the resignation of high-profile climate activist turned-politician, Steven Guilbeault, but — for the moment — BC Liberal MPs are staying quiet and out of sight. MPs Patrick Weiler and Will Greaves, who previously expressed reservations about the Alberta-Ottawa pipeline agreement, were among at least 11 BC Liberal MPs not present for Question Period on Thursday. Greaves told Canada’s National Observer that he will reserve his comments until Friday. Greaves previously said he and his constituents are opposed to an agreement involving a pipeline through BC and oil tanker ban exemptions, which are included in the memorandum of understanding (MOU). A handful of Trudeau-era climate-minded Liberals were also absent from Question Period, including Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Karina...
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Northern First Nations take stand against mining in homelands
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source BIG TROUT LAKE — Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Nation (KI) and Wapekeka First Nation declared three million hectares of traditional territory “permanently protected” on Thursday because “we need to do more to protect our waters, our lands and animals,” KI Chief Donny Morris says. He and Allan Brown, Wapekeka’s deputy chief, announced the neighbouring First Nations’ position in Toronto, some 2,000 kilometres away from home. They were joined in the news conference by Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, who represents their communities in the legislature, and Wildlands League conservation director Anna Baggio. They asked the Ontario government to join them in protecting the Anishininew Aki boreal forest, wetlands and waterways from mining. “This has been a long-standing issue for the community and community...
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Eby brands pipeline ‘energy vampire’ as First Nations vow it will never happen
By Ashley Joannou and Wolfgang Depner British Columbia Premier David Eby and First Nations have thrown up a wall of opposition to a proposed northern oil pipeline, after Alberta and the federal government signed a memorandum of understanding to work toward making it a reality. Eby said that the pipeline proposal was a distraction that had already cost B.C. another investment opportunity, dubbing it a potential “energy vampire” draining federal, Indigenous and provincial resources. He spoke in Victoria with most of his NDP caucus cheering him on from the steps of the B.C. legislature on Thursday. The memorandum of understanding, signed hours earlier by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Calgary, commits Canada and Alberta to working toward a northern pipeline to B.C.’s coast, with Alberta...
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BC’s climate review says ‘build on what works’ — but LNG still blows a hole in the plan
By Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer A review of BC’s climate action plan released Wednesday zeroed in on what’s working rather than what isn’t — while acknowledging the province’s LNG ambitions remain a major stumbling block for climate action. Led by independent climate policy experts Dan Woynillowicz and Merran Smith, the CleanBC review focused on “renewal rather than retreat” and “practical and actionable advice” that scales up progress made by BC’s methane regulations, electric vehicle and electric fuel pump policies and increasing supply of biofuels. The province has increased gas production since 2014 by 60 per cent, but dropped methane emissions by close to the same amount, Smith said. More electric heat pumps, which heat and cool homes while reducing emissions, were installed in 2023 than...
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Carney-Smith deal will bring carbon capture to Cold Lake. They don’t want it
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Alberta First Nations are being shut out of a sprawling carbon capture and storage project on their traditional territories that is a key part of a possible Alberta-Ottawa pipeline deal, chiefs say. Kelsey Jacko, chief of Cold Lake First Nations, said his nation has raised concerns since 2023 but have not been included in key discussions between Ottawa, Alberta and industry. And now, with the expected announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the federal and provincial governments, Jacko feels railroaded. “They’re pushing it through, ramming [it] down our throats, harder than they did before,” he said. The proposed carbon capture and storage project involves a 400-kilometre-long CO2 pipeline transporting captured emissions from more than 20 oilsands facilities in northern...
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Allies gather to support future Indigenous court during inaugural justice conference
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A conference designed to garner support from legislators and the community toward a future Indigenous justice court took place last week in Dawson Creek. Walking the Path of Justice was hosted by Doig River First Nation (DRFN) at the Ovintiv Events Centre, and featured judges, lawyers and keynote speakers to discuss a facility in northeast B.C. focusing on restorative justice. The three-day event was attended by leaders, Elders and legislators from around Canada, who spoke about their experiences with a restorative justice system as opposed to punitive justice. Timing for the conference comes as the BC First Nations Justice Council recently opened an Indigenous Justice Centre earlier this year in Fort St. John. Some of the prominent speakers...
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A timeline of a cabinet resignation: Inside Guilbeault’s decision to resign
By Mia Rabson Quebec Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault resigned from cabinet on Thursday, after spending all six years he has been a member of Parliament around that table. The final decision was made in the last few days but it was a choice that was months in the making. The Canadian Press spoke to a source with knowledge of the week’s events, who spoke on background about the days leading up to the decision. Here’s a timeline of how it unfolded. Before Monday, Nov. 23: Guilbeault came into politics after a decades-long career as an environmentalist and activist, including as the founder of Quebec’s Equiterre organization. He left that organization in 2018, and a few months later won the nomination to run for the Liberals in a Montreal riding, under...
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Hodgson says it’s ‘premature’ to draw conclusions about B.C. tanker ban fate
By Nick Murray Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson says it’s “premature” for anyone to draw conclusions regarding the potential removal, or adjustment, of the West Coast tanker ban, since no pipeline route has been mapped out to bring oil from Alberta to the B.C. coastline. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Hodgson said people are “jumping to conclusions” with regard to any discussions about adjusting or lifting the ban. “I think it’s premature for people to have concluded things when there is no route yet, and there have been no conversations about that route at this point in time,” Hodgson said Thursday. “What the MOU says is there will be a deepwater port with access to Asia. It does not say which port, on what part...
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Ontario signs deal with Marten Falls First Nation to fast track road to Ring of Fire
By Liam Casey Another northern Ontario First Nation has signed a partnership deal with the province to fast track construction on the road to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire. Marten Falls First Nation will receive nearly $40 million for a multi-purpose community centre, materials for other infrastructure projects, including this season’s winter road, and other priority projects. Chief Bruce Achneepineskum says the deal represents economic reconciliation, and adds it also fixes a relationship with the province that has historically left the community behind. In return, the community will complete its environmental assessment on the Marten Falls Access Road by February with the hopes of beginning construction by August. Marten Falls is about 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., accessible via a winter road for a month or two a...
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Neighbours relieved with energy storage plant decision
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Some Shuniah property owners were breathing sighs of relief on Wednesday as news spread about the fate of a proposed battery-energy storage system plant. On Tuesday, as Shuniah’s municipal council opted not to back a proposed gas-powered peaker plant, it also unanimously voted against supporting the battery-energy storage facility. “It’s a relief, absolutely,” Mount Baldy Road resident Chris Sauer said on Wednesday after learning the battery project did not receive council’s backing. Sauer and other property owners had maintained that PowerBank Corp.’s proposed location for a battery facility off Mount Baldy Road was too close to residential areas and the Mount Baldy Ski resort, if the proposed facility ever caught on fire. PowerBank had been seeking support from the Municipality of...
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Ontario should allow restorative justice in cases involving sexual offences: report
By Paola Loriggio and Rianna Lim A new report is calling on the Ontario government to revisit a policy that prohibits the use of restorative justice as an alternative to criminal prosecution in cases involving sexual offences. The report was issued today by the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund, or LEAF, and the nonprofit Community Justice Initiatives. It says the Crown policy deprives those who have experienced sexual harm from choosing the form of justice that best fits their needs. Restorative justice is an approach that allows those harmed and those who take responsibility for said harm to reach a resolution together, typically with the help of a facilitator. Rosel Kim, a senior staff lawyer for LEAF, says a moratorium on restorative justice for sexual offences was put in...
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‘We Need to Support the Working Class’
By Isaac Phan Nay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Tyee Tanille Johnston wants to help the NDP get back in touch with the working class. She says she’s been fundraising hard to launch a grassroots campaign for NDP leadership — a campaign that promises to build the party’s relationship with unions, Indigenous leaders and working-class Canadians. “Our work needs to start by going back to the people, and as soon as possible,” Johnston said. “We weren’t showing up in the way that they needed us to, and so we need to return, own the criticisms that are going to come at us and say, ‘Let’s do it differently.’” Johnston has a lot on the go: she works full time as the Vancouver Island regional manager of primary care for the...
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Elections Canada says protocol wasn’t followed in Nunavik during federal election
By Alessia Passafiume Elections Canada says voting services in Nunavik during the spring federal election were “significantly hindered” by a lack of planning and oversight that caused some polls to close early. Following the April 28 federal election, Elections Canada acknowledged that some voters in Nunavik were unable to cast ballots because a shortage of staff led to polls closing well ahead of schedule. In a report released today, Elections Canada says the returning officer’s plan didn’t include meaningful engagement with local communities. Elections Canada says the plan was still approved by its headquarters, which resulted in limited local involvement and undermined service delivery. Elections Canada says the issues in Nunavik during the election point to broader problems and it’s working to reduce barriers for Indigenous voters. During a trip...
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Carney, Smith sign pipeline deal, open door to changing B.C. tanker ban
By The Canadian Press Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have signed a memorandum of understanding that commits them to working toward building an oil pipeline to the West Coast — and opens the door to changes to the coastal tanker ban. At a signing ceremony in Calgary on Thursday, the two agreed that Ottawa would enable the export of oil through a deepsea port to Asian markets and “if necessary” adjust the tanker ban to make that happen. Ottawa’s commitment is contingent on the pipeline being approved as a project of national interest, and on the project providing “opportunities for Indigenous co-ownership and shared economic benefits.” “This is a really great day for Albertans,” Smith said ahead of the signing event. “We have been working for...
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