Don’t complain, get paid: Kitimat resident offered thousands from LNG Canada
By Matt Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Narwhal LNG Canada offered thousands of dollars in financial compensation to at least one Kitimat, B.C., resident for their discretion around “additional incremental flaring and noise” from the gas liquefaction and export facility, according to a document reviewed by The Narwhal. In return, the resident would agree to “not make any complaints or raise any concerns or objections with respect to LNG Canada, the LNG facility or the works with any third parties, including but not limited to members of the media, the [BC Energy Regulator] or the District of Kitimat” related to operations for around one week at the beginning of November. The document, shared with The Narwhal by a source who asked that their name not be published, details how...
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Arctic ambassador’s tough role begins by listening at home
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Canada’s new Arctic ambassador is stepping into a challenging diplomatic role at a time when the North is facing shifting geopolitical and climate realities. Appointed in July 2025, Virginia Mearns, a respected Inuit leader, enters her role as Ottawa enacts an ambitious $35 million Arctic foreign policy initiative designed to protect Canada’s northern frontier while weaving stronger bonds with Arctic allies and Indigenous communities. Mearns told Canada’s National Observer in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, that she will focus on strengthening relationships at home for the remainder of the first year, starting with consultations next week. Discussions will focus on priority issues for northerners, including security, climate change, infrastructure, resource management and land-use planning. “It’s really important for me to...
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Federal budget includes significant promises for the North
By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio Federal finance minister François-Philippe Champagne has proposed a 2025 budget that includes big investment in northern infrastructure, sweeping cuts to the public service and an increase in military spending. Mark Carney’s minority Liberal government must now convince at least one other political party to help the budget pass by November 17, when a vote is expected to be held. If the budget fails, that will trigger a new federal election within a year of the last one. Tuesday’s budget contained some significant commitments for the North. For example, Ottawa is promising to create an Arctic Infrastructure Fund that would invest $1 billion over four years. The fund would be spent on major transportation projects such as airports, seaports, all-season roads and...
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Ontario First Nations waiting on billions in delayed child welfare funding
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer For First Nations in Ontario, a multi-billion dollar child welfare agreement could be a lifeline for their communities, allowing them to run their own child welfare programs and raise their children closer to home and culture. But months after the signing, communities are still waiting for the funding to flow. “The Chiefs in our region have been clear: our children cannot wait,” said Abram Benedict, Ontario regional chief for the Chiefs of Ontario in a press release. “We have a strong mandate from the Ontario Chiefs-in-Assembly to pursue this agreement and any attempts to delay its implementation will be considered unacceptable interference in our communities’ inherent jurisdiction.” The Ontario deal stalled out because of opposition from the First Nations Child...
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First Nations will face funding cuts while feds look to strike tax agreements on fuel, alcohol, tobacco
OTTAWA-The Liberal minority government is cutting Indigenous Services Canada and the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada budgets by $2 billion and is looking to strike tax agreements on fuel, alcohol, cannabis, tobacco and vaping with interested Indigenous governments. Spending reductions in Mark Carney’s first budget as prime minister will see Indigenous spending cut by amost $2.3 bilion by the spring of 2023. The Liberal minority government’s 2025 spending plan, was tabled Tuesday afternoon in the House of Commons. The cuts weren’t as deep as previously sugested in July. ISC warned then of “difficult decisions” coming. on the way to then what was thought to be a reduction of up to 15 per cent over three years. What the budget does show that investments is coming including $2.3 billion...
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Federal budget forecasts $78B deficit as Liberals shift spending to capital projects
By Sammy Hudes This year’s federal budget contains a deficit nearly twice the size forecast by the Liberals a year ago, as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government prioritizes capital project spending over programs and services. The budget tabled Tuesday projects a $78.3-billion total deficit — the amount of money spent by the government beyond its revenues — for this fiscal year. The figure would steadily decrease to $56.6-billion by 2029-30. Ottawa’s fall economic statement tabled late last year had projected a deficit of $42.2 billion for this fiscal year. But that estimate was issued before U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada and countries across the world, which turned economic forecasts upside down. Ottawa said the effects of the Canada-U.S. trade war and uncertainty over future trade rules have weighed...
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Some key highlights from the Liberal government’s 2025 federal budget: Indigenous funding cuts
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne introduced the 2025 federal budget on Tuesday. Here are some key highlights from the first federal budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney: AI and quantum computing The budget allots $334.3 million to strengthen Canada’s quantum ecosystem. The money will be provided through the Defence Industrial Strategy over a five-year time period. The emerging technology uses the principles of quantum mechanics for applications like computing. The budget also sets aside money to build large-scale sovereign public AI infrastructure. Indigenous cutbacks The Carney government is freezing its annual base funding for Indigenous health and social services, saying this amounts to a two per cent cut for the Indigenous Services department. The government tasked most government departments to come up with a 15 per cent cut. Crown-Indigenous Relations and...
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National Inuit Women’s Association chair on leave less than a month after assuming position
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News The chair of the Pauktuutit board of directors has taken a voluntary leave of absence from the organization less than one month after assuming the role. Looee Mike was only appointed to the role on the national Inuit women’s association on Oct. 7. Mike said “there are many, many things I would say,” but declined to specify any of them because she said she could not comment on her leave. “Board chair Looee Mike has voluntarily taken a leave of absence. Vice-chair Laisa Audlaluk-Watsko has assumed the role of interim board chair. Out of respect for individuals’ privacy, we will not comment further on personnel matters,” stated Catherine Whittaker, communications advisor at Pauktuutit. The leave is the latest change in...
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ROPE Squad seeking public’s help in tracking federal offender Jason Kane
Hamilton, ON – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of his Statutory Release. Jason Kane is described as a Caucasian male, 49 years of age, 5’8” (173cm), 160 lbs (73 kgs) with brown hair and green eyes. He has the following Tattoos; Right Hand – Cross Upper Back – ‘Kill Em All’ Left Arm – Grim Reaper Jason Kane is serving 2-years, 8-months and one 1-day for; Possession of Prohibited/restricted Firearm with Ammunition Possession of a Weapon Contrary to Prohibition Order The offender is known to frequent Hamilton, Toronto, and Brantford, Ontario. Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked...
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Long-standing Doig River First Nation Chief will not seek re-election
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca DOIG RIVER FIRST NATION, B.C. — Doig River First Nation’s (DRFN) election scheduled for later this month will not include its incumbent Chief on the ballot. In a letter posted to DRFN’s Facebook page on October 31st, Trevor Makadahay says he will not be considered for the top job in the election on November 20th. Makadahay was first elected Chief in 2014, and previously served on council for seven years from 1996 to 2003. In the letter, he cited spending more time with his family as the primary reason, calling his time representing DRFN as Chief “an honour.” “I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for the support you have shown me during my time...
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Haldimand County OPP “Operation Trick or Treat”
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) “Operation Trick or Treat” has seen 114 notices, warnings and criminal code charges along with RIDE events held over the Halloween weekend. The Haldimand detachment OPP and West Region Highway Safety Division conducted enforcement on area roads and highways as part of a safe streets and highways campaign aimed at promoting public compliance with road safety laws through high-visibility enforcement and education. “Operation Trick or Treat”, ran from Friday, October 31, 2025, until Sunday, November 2, 2025, and focused on the leading driving behaviours that contribute to death, injury and property damage on our roads and highways: impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, and fatigue, speeding/aggressive driving, distracted/inattentive driving and non-use of occupant restraints. The following are results of the traffic...
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Gull Bay First Nation man missing for 2 weeks
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Provincial police are continuing to try and locate a 58-year-old Gull Bay First Nation man who has now been missing for two weeks. Police said Rene King was last seen in the Gull Bay area on Oct. 18 around 4 p.m. He is also known to frequent the Thunder Bay area, police said. Police issued their first bulletin about King’s disappearance on Oct. 27. According to police, King is described as six-feet two inches tall and 250 pounds, with short hair that is dark grey and white. King may be wearing dark-blue jeans, a T-shirt, a fluorescent jacket and running shoes with yellow stripes, police said. Anyone with information can contact Armstrong OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122. Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative...
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NAN Grand Chief trepidatious ahead of federal budget
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — The grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation says he’s waiting to see how the upcoming federal budget will tackle longstanding First Nations priorities. Alvin Fiddler helped open the 2025 NAN Chiefs Fall Assembly in Thunder Bay on Nov. 4. In his opening address to the assembled leaders, Fiddler expressed concern that federal spending priorities will not include things NAN chiefs have prioritized, namely clean water, housing, education, health and public safety. His comments come as federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne prepares to table the Carney government’s first budget since the Liberals formed a minority government in April. In the lead-up to the budget, Carney has publicly stated there will be “generational investments” made in the new document, but...
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‘It’s divide and conquer’: First Nations chiefs vow resistance as Doug Ford signs agreement to unlock Ring of Fire
By Anushka Yadav, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Pointer Even Canadians who don’t usually care about baseball tuned in to watch the Toronto Blue Jays reach the World Series this year. And while the team fell short, the massive national audience provided a convenient stage for the Ontario government to air its Ring of Fire ads, turning a moment of national pride into an opportunity to push an agenda lobbied for by private interests. For centuries, lands that had been protected for thousands of years prior were stolen away by Europeans and their descendants who, to this day, continue to eye the water, minerals and forests. Doug Ford and the mining giants pushing to develop the Ring of Fire pose the latest threat to First Nations communities that know all...
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New data helps put ‘Indigenous health back into Indigenous hands’
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com KENORA — The head of an Indigenous-led health care centre in Kenora says new data should help secure additional funding for its work. Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig, or WNHAC, is one of the local health care organizations involved in recent work by Toronto-based researcher Octavia Wong that used data from Our Health Counts to document the experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in several Ontario cities, including Kenora and Thunder Bay. The research looked at rates of diabetes, prescription opioid use and the prevalence of people experiencing discrimination when accessing health care. “We’re hoping to utilize some of the information that we get from studies like this to help increase the success rate of our proposal to the government to really help...
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Emerging Indigenous filmmaker lands major Telefilm grant for upcoming project
By Aaron Walker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Swampy Cree filmmaker Peter Kolopenuk has been selected for Telefilm Canada’s prestigious “Talent to Watch” program, earning national support for an upcoming feature documentary exploring powwow culture across the Prairies. Originally from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, Kolopenuk said he is one of only 17 directors selected from a pool of roughly 500 applicants from across Canada. The Talent to Watch Program supports emerging filmmakers producing their first feature films and prioritizes diverse voices across the country’s cinematic landscape, according to the Telefilm Canada website. “We were quite lucky that they chose ours, so we must be doing something right,” Kolopenuk said after learning his production company will split $3.4 million in grant funding. His company One Five Five Films has spent...
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Man accused in Saskatchewan highway shooting didn’t know victim: RCMP
By Jeremy Simes The man accused in the shooting death of a woman on a rural Saskatchewan highway isn’t believed to have known the victim, RCMP said Monday. Mounties have offered few details about the death of 44-year-old Tanya Myers of Weyburn, Sask., because the case is before the courts. Insp. Ashley St. Germaine said officers are not looking for other suspects. “We are not aware of any direct connection between the accused and the occupants and the two vehicles that were struck,” Germaine told a virtual news conference. “Tanya’s family has been updated by investigators. Our thoughts are with them as they continue to grieve and process this new information.” Myers was shot while sitting in the passenger seat of her friend’s SUV as it was going along Highway...
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Memoir tells story of accidental career path that led to healing from trauma
By Shari Narine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com For more than three decades, three-time Juno award-winning singer Susan Aglukark wrote songs that laid bare the trauma she experienced from being sexually assaulted at a young age. What she found more difficult to write though was Kihiani: A Memoir of Healing. “I think what’s kind of magical about the songwriting and performing, it is in your mind. They’re three-and-a-half minute pieces. They’re just glimpses of parts of your life. Whereas the memoir, it’s just about everything,” Aglukark told Windspeaker.com. Kihiani is an Inuktitut word that means “because we must”, and it was the right time to tell her story, she says. “What I didn’t anticipate was … (the) personalness of it, the intimacy of details and sharing that and documenting that...
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B.C. First Nation members vote in favour of treaty, moving toward self-governance
A First Nation from the northwest coast of British Columbia has voted in favour of a constitution and a treaty that it says opens a path to a new era of self-government. The Kitsumkalum First Nation, located west of Terrace, B.C., says 89 per cent of voters approved of the constitution while about 90 per cent supported the treaty. Elected chief councillor Troy Sam called it a “proud day,” adding in a statement that the approvals “open the door to a new era of self-government, accountability, and opportunity.” The Kitsumkalum Nation has a population of about 825 members, and its territory spans the Skeena Region from Terrace to Prince Rupert. Melissa Quocksister, communications and engagement consultant for the Kitsumkalum Treaty, says the vote allows the community to take advantage of...
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More anti-Indigenous health care discrimination in the Northwest: study
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com KENORA — A new study has found Indigenous people in Thunder Bay and Kenora report higher rates of discrimination in the health care system than those in southern Ontario. The data was compiled by Octavia Wong, a Toronto-based researcher. It noted that, among Indigenous respondents, 39 per cent and 37 per cent in Thunder Bay and Kenora respectively reported anti-Indigenous discrimination when accessing health care. People were asked whether they had “been treated unfairly (e.g. treated differently, kept waiting) by a health professional (e.g. doctor, nurse, etc.) because you are Indigenous.” The study’s Ontario average, which also included respondents in Toronto and London, was just over 32 per cent. “It’s something that needs to be addressed, if it’s so widespread across the...
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