Ontario flouts backlash, fast-tracks Ring of Fire access road
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz / Canada’s National Observer / Local Journalism Initiative Despite pushback from First Nations and environmental advocates, the Ford government is moving ahead with the first segment of a road network to Ontario’s mineral-rich Ring of Fire. The $61.8 million upgrade to Geraldton’s Main Street project will connect Highway 11 to Highway 584 in Greenstone and is billed as the “gateway” to the Ring of Fire, about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. The road is the first Ring of Fire project to be approved under Premier Doug Ford’s controversial Bill 5, which aims to fast track projects by creating “special economic zones” exempt from environmental rules and planning laws. The province says it is a critical step toward unlocking the region’s nickel, copper, platinum and chromite...
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‘Celebrate you’: Rockin’ Recovery returns to highlight stories of healing and resilience
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — “What I’m looking forward to the most is the energy.” Dustin Gagne says he’s excited he was chosen to emcee this year’s Rockin’ Recovery Day. Gagne, who is from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Pic River First Nation), said he likes seeing other people on their journeys to recovery from substance abuse and “having a safe place to come.” “There’s no words to describe the feeling that you get (when) you know that someone is doing something really good in their life and they’re very happy,” he said. “Their light is shining so bright, and so that’s the kind of energy that I’m excited to feel.” Rockin’ Recovery is being held for the 12th time in Thunder Bay on Sept. 13. The...
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Carney says federal government will sign more pharmacare deals with provinces
By Sarah Ritchie The federal Liberal government is committed to signing pharmacare deals with all provinces and territories, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday, ending months of speculation about the program being cut short. Carney said those deals will be finalized “as quickly and as equitably as possible.” “Those are clear commitments and we will keep them,” he said at a press conference in Edmonton on Thursday. The government launched the first phase of the pharmacare program last year, which provides what it calls “universal, single-payer, first-dollar coverage” of contraceptives and some diabetes medications at little or no cost to patients. The pharmacare law was passed last fall as part of the supply-and-confidence agreement the minority government struck with the NDP. As a starting point, it required the federal government...
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Alberta premier praises first batch of national-interest projects
By Lauren Krugel Alberta’s premier says she sees promising signs in the first batch of projects announced under Ottawa’s new fast-tracked approval process, but environmentalists warn the inclusion of liquefied natural gas locks Canada into a high-carbon future. Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday named the first five proposals to be referred to the new Major Projects Office based in Calgary, which aims to speed development of projects deemed in the national interest. “When I looked at the first five projects, I thought: ‘Finally — they get it,’ because it’s all the projects that have been difficult to build,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told reporters in Edmonton. “I think that that demonstrates a real shift in the focus of this government.” Topping the list is the second phase of LNG...
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Shannon Stewart sworn in as newest member of Penticton council
By Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Penticton Herald Surrounded by her three adult sons, along with other family and friends, Shannon Stewart was sworn in as the newest — and only female — member of Penticton City Council during a brief ceremony Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. Stewart, a social worker, won the recent byelection, emerging at the top of a field of 12 candidates. She is best known locally as a longtime administrator of the Clean Streets Penticton Facebook page, which has more than 6,200 members. Stewart replaces Helena Konanz on council, following Konanz’s successful run for the Conservative Party of Canada in April’s federal election. Konanz and her husband were in the gallery during the ceremony. Stewart was officially sworn in by local Justice Lynett Jung, a...
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Both Conservatives and Liberals intend to introduce bail reform legislation this fall
By Sarah Ritchie Members of Parliament will have the chance this fall to debate two different pieces of legislation intended to make it harder for people accused of certain crimes to get bail. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday his party’s bail reform bill would create a new category of major offences that includes things like sexual assault, kidnapping, human trafficking, home invasion and firearms charges. The Conservative bill would impose a reverse onus on people accused of such crimes requiring that they prove they should be released on bail. “We will strengthen bail laws by mandating judges also consider the accused’s full criminal history, and prevent anyone with prior major convictions from getting bail,” Poilievre said at a press conference in Vaughan, Ont. He said he does not expect...
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B.C. First Nations and logging firm want Walbran Valley old-growth blockade to end
By Darryl Greer The B.C. Supreme Court is set to rule on an injunction to halt a blockade against old-growth logging in the Walbran Valley on Vancouver Island, but a lawyer for one of the blockaders says the law is evolving and in need of a “course correction.” The Pacheedaht First Nation has decried the blockade on its traditional territory near Port Renfrew, B.C., claiming it is undermining its authority and should disband. The First Nation said in a statement that forestry is a “cornerstone” of its economy, and is calling for the blockaders to “stand down and leave.” The statement came after Tsawak-qin Forestry Inc., a firm co-owned by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Western Forest Products Inc., filed a lawsuit last week in B.C. Supreme Court alleging that...
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Lecce promotes speedy ‘one project, one process’ for new mines
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source THUNDER BAY — Ontario’s energy and mines minister came to CEN-CAN to preach the value of a “1P1P” – one project, one process – system for getting new mines open. “It cannot take 15 years to open a mine in the province,” Stephen Lecce said Thursday in a conference that was part of the regional mining expo. “And so that’s why … we brought forth landmark one-project, one-process legislation” he said. A streamlined system is necessary because the old one “really undermines the flow of capital, and we need investment,” he said. “We need to attract global investment. We need to retain Canadian investment. “We want to see more Canadians working within our resource sector, and therefore that’s why we...
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No current Yukon ministers are seeking re-election in upcoming vote
By Ashley Joannou Yukon’s premier said he’s excited about the group of candidates he has running in the upcoming territorial election, despite the fact that no incumbent ministers are seeking re-election. Mike Pemberton said he applauds his out-going colleagues for the work that they did during two terms with the Liberal government, and said the new crop of candidates offers experience even if they’re not veteran political candidates. “I would say that the candidates that we’ve announced so far have fairly strong name recognition in the community. Maybe not as politicals, but with NGOs, with different First Nations, so name recognition is not the issue,” he said. “If people do not know their names now, they will know their names by election day.” Speaker Jeremy Harper is the only sitting...
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Proposed Nunavut infrastructure projects not included in initial announcement
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the first major infrastructure projects of national interest to get fast-tracked under Bill C-5, but none of the proposed Nunavut investments made the list. However, the Sept. 11 announcement did include mention of an Arctic security corridor as a strategic area of focus for future development under the bill. Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok said he is optimistic that Nunavut will be part of future plans. “While our projects were not included in the first round of announcements, it is encouraging to see the Arctic Security Corridor — Grays Bay road and port — recognized as a candidate for the second round of announcements,” Akeeagok said. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) and the Government of Nunavut...
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Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries launches new vessel
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News A new fishing vessel is coming to the Davis Strait off the coast of Baffin Island to trawl for shrimp and turbot. Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries launched its latest ship — the Saputi II — from the Freire shipyard in Vigo, Spain, on Sept. 9. The Saputi II is 79 metres long, 17 metres wide, and has capacity for 34 crew members. Powered by a high-efficiency, low-emission engine, Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries considers this trawler to be built for sustainable harvesting. “This vessel will not only improve our operational efficiency but also support our efforts to protect marine ecosystems,” stated Harry Flaherty, president and CEO of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, the parent company of Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries. The Arctic freezer trawler will have the capacity to process...
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$61.8M for Geraldton Main Street project is
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source GREENSTONE — Geraldton’s Main Street rehabilitation project is getting $61.8 million in provincial money to prepare for the anticipated heavy traffic surge that will come with Ring of Fire development. The project is “more than a roadworks project,” Greg Rickford, the minister responsible for Ring of Fire economic and community partnerships, said Wednesday during a news conference in Toronto. Instead, said Rickford, “it’s a signal that Geraldton is a gateway to one of Ontario’s greatest assets in the face of economic threats from the United States, and that our government is serious about supporting the communities that anchor the north.” The government sees mining in the Ring of Fire as a means to strengthen local economies, create jobs and build...
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Survey reveals Canadians divided on Indigenous rights
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute has unveiled what experts are calling concerning beliefs towards Indigenous people spreading across Canada. The poll, “Special status or equal treatment?” found that 55 percent of Canadians believe Indigenous nations “have no special status” in Canada. Sixty percent said Indigenous communities should be governed “by the same systems and rules as other Canadians.” According to Jon Roe, research associate with the Angus Reid institute, the survey was a part of a larger survey series, gauging Canadians perceptions on contemporary Indigenous issues. “These were questions that we had asked previously in 2018,” Roe said. “So, it had been a while since we looked at these questions and see whether or not Canadians’ perceptions had changed.”...
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24th Anniversary: Remembering: September 11, 2001
9/11 Memorial in New York City Commemoration marking 24th Anniversary...
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Survey reveals Canadians divided on Indigenous rights
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute has unveiled what experts are calling concerning beliefs towards Indigenous people spreading across Canada. The poll, “Special status or equal treatment?” found that 55 percent of Canadians believe Indigenous nations “have no special status” in Canada. Sixty percent said Indigenous communities should be governed “by the same systems and rules as other Canadians.” According to Jon Roe, research associate with the Angus Reid institute, the survey was a part of a larger survey series, gauging Canadians perceptions on contemporary Indigenous issues. “These were questions that we had asked previously in 2018,” Roe said. “So, it had been a while since we looked at these questions and see whether or not Canadians’ perceptions had changed.”...
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Quebec premier shuffles cabinet, promises ‘shock treatment’ in year before election
By Sidhartha Banerjee Quebec Premier François Legault, one year away from the general election and deeply unpopular with the electorate, announced a major cabinet shuffle on Wednesday and promised to soon present a new vision for the province’s economy. He also pledged to make radical changes to the public service, saying the system needs a “shock treatment” to get out of its lethargy. It’s all part of a plan to revive the fortunes of his party, which according to polls is at risk of disappearing from the electoral map after it won a second mandate three years ago with a decisive majority. In front of his new cabinet on Wednesday, the premier suggested his planned changes for the next year will not be easy, but are necessary. “At my age,...
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MCK Chiefs return from AFN’s Annual General Assembly
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) Chiefs Jeffrey Diabo and Ross Montour have returned from Winnipeg after attending the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly (AGM) held from September 3 to 5. Although MCK does not hold voting rights within AFN, due to the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AFN and the Iroquois Caucus, Montour said he and Diabo were attending the AGM last week in an observer capacity. “AFN is not a rights holder,” Montour reiterated. “The individual First Nations, the people elected to serve, are representatives of rights holders.” But even in this role, Montour was concerned about how AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak was characterising the relationship between First Nations and the Federal government. “It painted...
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Ottawa names Indigenous advisory council on major projects
By Alessia Passafiume Eleven Indigenous leaders from across the country were named to the federal government’s new Indigenous Peoples’ Council on Wednesday, tasked with advising the new federal body working to fast-track major infrastructure projects. The federal government says the council will work with Indigenous Peoples to integrate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into government decision-making on major projects. It’s creation was a promise made to Indigenous Peoples as the government pushed through its major projects bill, which caused an outcry in many Indigenous communities as people feared it could impact their rights and permit projects without fair consultation. The law was passed, with support from the Conservatives, less than a month after it was introduced. It allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for...
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Carney plans to announce the first series of major projects on Thursday
By Kyle Duggan The first major industrial projects under the federal government’s strategy to reduce Canada’s economic reliance on the U.S. will be announced Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney told his caucus on Wednesday. The prime minister vowed that these “transformative” projects will align both with the interests of Indigenous people and with Canada’s climate goals. Carney said he wants to “turbocharge” Canada’s economy through “major nation-building projects that connect our regions, that diversify our products and build new markets and create those hundreds of thousands of high-paying careers for our workers, from the trades to technology.” Carney made the comments in Edmonton in a speech to Liberal MPs attending a caucus retreat ahead of the return of the House of Commons next week. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who was...
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Quebec premier shuffles cabinet, promises ‘shock treatment’ in year before election
By Sidhartha Banerjee Quebec Premier François Legault, one year away from the general election and deeply unpopular with the electorate, announced a major cabinet shuffle on Wednesday and promised to soon present a new vision for the province’s economy. He also pledged to make radical changes to the public service, saying the system needs a “shock treatment” to get out of its lethargy. It’s all part of a plan to revive the fortunes of his party, which according to polls is at risk of disappearing from the electoral map after it won a second mandate three years ago with a decisive majority. In front of his new cabinet on Wednesday, the premier suggested his planned changes for the next year will not be easy, but are necessary. “At my age,...
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