Evacuee recalls ‘surreal’ escape as northern Ontario wildfire threatens FirstNation
By Rianna Lim As a major wildfire threatens a First Nation in northwestern Ontario, one evacuee is recounting her “surreal” experience escaping the blaze on a military aircraft. Destiny Rae says she and her family were among hundreds of people who left Sandy Lake First Nation as the 1,500-square kilometre, out-of-control wildfire burns through the area. National Defence says a CC-130 Hercules aircraft has been airlifting people out of the First Nation, and more than 700 people had been evacuated as of Monday afternoon. It’s unclear how many residents are still in the community of more than 2,000 people. Rae says it was “very surreal” when she boarded the military airplane on Sunday, as officials said the blaze was just six kilometres away from the First Nation with smoke causing...
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California governor asks court to block Trump administration from using troops in immigration raids
By Jake Offenhartz, Christopher Weber, Lolita C. Baldor And Tara Copp LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed an emergency request in federal court Tuesday to block the Trump administration from using the National Guard and Marines to assist with immigration raids in Los Angeles. Newsom’s move comes after President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angles following protests driven by anger over the president’s stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws. The governor’s request said it was in response to a change in orders for the Guard. The filing included a declaration from Paul Eck, deputy general counsel in the California Military Department. Eck said the department has been informed that the Pentagon plans to direct the California National...
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Premier hypocritical on natural gas: Tories
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservative opposition is slamming Liberal Premier Susan Holt for not allowing natural gas wells to be dug in the province while at the same time pushing for a pipeline from Quebec to New Brunswick. In the last question period before the legislature adjourned for the summer, Glen Savoie, the interim Tory leader, picked up on her comments earlier in the week after meeting with the prime minister and other premiers in Saskatoon. In the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, they wanted to see a natural gas pipeline extend 600 kilometres from Quebec City to southern New Brunswick as a nation-building project. “For years, we’ve had many natural gas debates in this chamber,” Savoie said in...
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Evacuee recalls ‘surreal’ escape as northern Ontario wildfire threatens FirstNation
By Rianna Lim As a major wildfire threatens a First Nation in northwestern Ontario, one evacuee is recounting her “surreal” experience escaping the blaze on a military aircraft. Destiny Rae says she and her family were among hundreds of people who left Sandy Lake First Nation as the 1,500-square kilometre, out-of-control wildfire burns through the area. National Defence says a CC-130 Hercules aircraft has been airlifting people out of the First Nation, and more than 700 people had been evacuated as of Monday afternoon. It’s unclear how many residents are still in the community of more than 2,000 people. Rae says it was “very surreal” when she boarded the military airplane on Sunday, as officials said the blaze was just six kilometres away from the First Nation with smoke causing...
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Mexican national soccer team changes hotels in Los Angeles because of safety concerns
By Carlos Rodriguez MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican national soccer team will change hotels in Los Angeles ahead of their Gold Cup match on Saturday because of safety concerns amid the protests against immigration raids in the city, a team spokesman said Tuesday. Mexico will play its opening match in the regional tournament against the Dominican Republic at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The team had a hotel reserved in downtown Los Angeles but governing body CONCACAF has allowed for a change to an undetermined hotel, Mexican team spokesman Fernando Schwartz told The Associated Press. CONCACAF, which runs soccer in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, has not made an official announcement. The protests began Friday in downtown Los Angeles after federal immigration authorities arrested more than 40 people...
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Ontario Provincial Police bust alleged dark-web trafficking network
Dark-Web trafficking network used Canada Post to ship drugs OPP say Ontario Provincial Police have shut down a drug ring that allegedly used the dark web and Canada Post to ship more than $2.5 million in illicit drugs across the country. In a news conference on Tuesday, (June 10) OPP said they believed the drugs were to be shipped to “marketplace” buyers in British Columbia, Nunavut, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Dubbed Project Bionic it is the OPP’s first-of-its-kind investigation into the alleged criminal network. The investigation was launched in November 2024 and by March 10, OPP officers arrested two suspects at a Ottawa Canada Post office location where they seized 86 packages contained various drugs that police beleived were being shipped nationwide....
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The Latest: Pentagon says deploying Marines and National Guard to LA will cost $134 million
AP-After persistent questioning from members of Congress on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth turned to his acting comptroller, Bryn Woollacott MacDonnell, who provided the amount it would cost to send the National Guard and Marines to immigration protests in Los Angeles. She said the $134 million will come from operations and maintenance accounts. Here’s the latest: California Republican congressman denounces ‘violence and vandalism’ while expressing concern about ICE raids Rep. David Valadao, a moderate Republican who represents much of the state’s San Joaquin Valley, expressed concern over the scenes in Los Angeles and urged for peaceful protest. He added that he had expressed concerns to the Trump administration over how it is conducting ICE raids in the Golden state. “I support the First Amendment right to peacefully protest, but the...
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Pacific Rim National Park Reserve reminds public to be mindful of wolves on the landscape
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Long Beach, B.C. – Recent reports of a pack of sea wolves in the Pacific Rim corridor acting habituated towards humans has prompted Parks Canada to issue a public reminder about how to stay safe and respect these animals. Francis Bruhwiler is a specialist in human-wildlife co-existence in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (PRNPR). He says the pack is likely the same two or three coastal wolves acting “very indifferent” when they see people. “If you want to break that down, it’s a loss of the natural human fear we would like them to have,” said Bruhwiler. “That behaviour is concerning because of that loss of that wariness towards humans. It seems like it’s faded a little bit.” “Habituated wolves have been...
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City acting as transport hub as First Nations flee wildfires
By Clint Fleury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay has set itself up as a transportation hub for evacuees affected by forest fires. Across Northwestern Ontario, particularly north of Red Lake and north of the Sioux Lookout area, are “still experiencing quite a bit of control problems with some of the wildfires,” said Dave Tarini, deputy fire chief for Thunder Bay Fire Rescue. The Red Lake 12 fire is 6 to 7 km from Sandy Lake First Nation and is producing heavy smoke, reducing visibility. Saturday afternoon, an evacuation order was issued for all residents of Sandy Lake. Evacuees were transported by Canadian Forces Hercules aircraft to Thunder Bay. “These are extraordinary circumstances, and we are doing everything possible to support the safe...
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Ottawa’s plan for climate change adaptation is falling short, report says
By Nick Murray Ottawa’s efforts to prepare the country for the impacts of climate change have stumbled out of the gate, Canada’s environment commissioner said Tuesday. In a new report, Jerry DeMarco concluded the National Adaptation Strategy was not effectively designed, did not prioritize Canada’s climate change risks and only established one of three components since its release in 2023. Canada has committed $1.6 billion so far to implement the strategy, which is meant as a road map for adaptation measures for climate impacts. Environment and Climate Change Canada has estimated that every dollar spent on proactive adaptation measures can save taxpayers between $13 and $15 in the long term. Canada was relatively late to the game when it released its strategy in 2023. Japan, France and the United Kingdom...
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Ottawa too slow to process First Nations status applications: AG report
Backlog of nearly 12,000 applications for status By Alessia Passafiume Canada’s auditor general says Indigenous Services Canada has failed to process applications for registration under the Indian Act within the required six-month timeline — leaving many First Nations people unable to access on-reserve housing, financial aid for post-secondary education and health benefits. In an audit released Tuesday, Karen Hogan found that more than eight in 10 applications processed by the department exceeded the six-month service standard. Some of those were priority applications for older people or those with health issues. Examining a sample of 140,000 applications submitted between April 2019 and March 2024, Hogan concluded it took the department nearly 16 months on average to make a decision on an individual application, and nearly three years to process...
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Audit General finds F-35 costs soar amid project delays, pilot shortages
By Kyle Duggan The cost of Canada’s incoming fleet of advanced stealth fighters has exploded by nearly 50 per cent in just a few years, auditor general Karen Hogan said Tuesday in a new report. The fighter jet audit is one of eight tabled in the House of Commons by Hogan and environment commissioner Jerry DeMarco which flagged problematic procurement contracts, a backlog in applications for First Nations status and a lag in reducing federal office space. An investigation by the auditor general of Canada finds costs associated with the F-35 advanced fighter jet program are running $8.7 billion higher than the original estimates. And it warns the program is being plagued by delays and crucial shortfalls — including a lack of qualified pilots. The report lands in the middle...
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First Nations leaders provide national response to King’s Speech
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News (ANNews) – First Nations leaders from across Canada gathered in Ottawa to provide a unified response to the May 27 Speech from the Throne delivered by King Charles III, with a statement from some of the leaders highlighting the “profound gap between ceremonial gestures and the reality of unfulfilled Treaty obligations.” Prime Minister Mark Carney asked the King to deliver this year’s Speech from the Throne, normally delivered by the governor general as the King’s representative in Canada, as a symbol of Canada’s independence from the United States. A small group of First Nations leaders were invited to the Senate for the King’s speech as dignitaries, including Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. In a joint news...
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Ottawa too slow to process First Nations status applications: AG report
OTTAWA -CP— Canada’s auditor general says Indigenous Services Canada has not been processing applications for registration under the Indian Act within the required six-month timeline. The failure means many First Nations people are unable to access on-reserve housing, financial aid for post-secondary education and health benefits.Karen Hogan reports in an audit released today that more than eight out of 10 applications processed by the department between 2019 and 2024 exceeded that six-month window. Some of those were priority applications for people who are older or have health issues. Hogan says there is a backlog of about 12,000 applications, including nearly 1,500 applications that went unprocessed for more than two years. Hogan also says Indigenous Services couldn’t show that most officials making final decisions on applications had the proper training and...
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‘Horrific impacts’: as B.C. prepares to fast-track projects, a mining watchdog warns past mistakes could be repeated
By Matt Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Narwhal Environmental assessments exist for a reason. That’s what Nikki Skuce, director of BC Mining Law Reform Network, said in response to British Columbia’s current push to eliminate or streamline regulatory processes for proposed developments, which she fears could erode public safety and environmental protection around major mining projects. Last month, following a flurry of announcements about fast-tracking renewable energy projects and other infrastructure, the province enacted the controversial Bill 15, which gives the B.C. government sweeping powers to expedite proposed resource development. It has been widely condemned by many First Nations leaders. “What problem are they trying to solve by pushing this through?” Skuce said in an interview. “Because, in fact, they’re eroding trust with First Nations communities and other communities...
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No consultations; protests loom: First Nation leaders
By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice A single meeting is not consultation. That’s what Walpole Island First Nation Chief Leela Thomas has to say regarding York1’s claim the company consulted with the band about the Dresden landfill project. “A short meeting is not consultation,” Thomas told The Voice in a recent interview. “Consultation means we know everything that the project entails. This hasn’t happened and there’s been no attempt to reconcile our concerns.” The chief’s comments were made public just prior to the Ontario government’s approval of Bill 5 on June 4. As part of the Unleashing the Economy to Protect Ontario Act 2025, the bill removes the environmental assessment designation for the York1 project, thereby fast tracking the controversial development located near the heart of Dresden....
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Manitoba government urges tourists not to visit as 21,000 people flee wildfires
By Steve Lambert Manitoba urged tourists Monday to hit pause on visiting the province for now as it fights to find shelter for a growing legion of wildfire evacuees that has now reached 21,000. It was one of multiple provinces battling marauding forest fires that have spawned sweeping, soaring tendrils of gauzy wood smoke across the country and beyond. “This is one of the largest evacuations in our province’s history,” said Lisa Naylor, the Manitoba minister in charge of emergency management. “The government anticipates there may be a need for more hotel rooms as the wildfire season continues. For that reason, we are urging Manitobans and Canadians to reconsider non-essential travel and event plans within Manitoba.” Naylor acknowledged it’s a difficult situation. “We absolutely know how important tourism is to...
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N.S. Mi’kmaq band drops case arguing federal rules don’t apply to its lobster fishery
A Mi’kmaq band has quietly discontinued its legal case alleging Ottawa was violating its right to fish for lobster, after hopes were raised of a historic deal. Last December, the lawyer for Sipekne’katik First Nation told Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice John Keith that discussions with Ottawa to settle the matter were of historic importance and “moving to a conclusion.” Keith gave the parties until June 16 to finish the mediation, but said at that point the case would carry on before the courts. However, a letter to the courts sent June 6 by Sipekne’katik’s lawyer Nathan Sutherland dropped the case without any further explanation, and without any kind of deal announced. Band members had argued their “moderate livelihood” fishery outside of the regular season is permitted by a 1999...
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Attorneys get more time to argue over contested copper mine on land sacred to Apaches
By Susan Montoya Bryan A U.S. district judge in Arizona has opened the door for the next round of legal wrangling as environmentalists and some Native Americas seek to stop the federal government from transferring land in Arizona for a massive copper mining project. Judge Dominic Lanza in a ruling issued Monday denied motions that sought to halt the transfer pending the outcome of the case. However, he did preclude the U.S. Forest Service from proceeding with the land exchange until 60 days after the agency issues a required environmental review. Lanza said that would give the parties more time to analyze the environmental report and file amended complaints. He said granting a preliminary injunction now would be premature since the review will differ in some ways from the one...
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Five things to know about Canada’s plan to meet the NATO defence spending target
By Sarah Ritchie Prime Minister Mark Carney is promising that Canada will quickly boost its defence spending to hit the NATO member target of two per cent of national GDP this year. Canada has long promised to meet the target but has never had a detailed plan to get there. The announcement comes as NATO allies prepare for talks on raising the spending target to five per cent at the annual summit this month. Here’s what you need to know about the announcement. What is the NATO spending target? All NATO allies, Canada included, committed to spending the equivalent of two per cent of their GDP on defence in 2006. In 2014, NATO leaders agreed formally that countries that were not meeting the target must move toward it within a...
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