Across Canada, politicians are forcing laws in the ‘national interest’ and dismantling our democracy along the way
By Anushka Yadav, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Pointer “Climate change is a major threat to financial resilience and economic prosperity,” Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, wrote in his book ‘Value(s): Building a Better World for All.’ “It is within our grasp to create a virtuous cycle of innovation and investment for the net-zero world that our citizens are demanding and that future generations deserve. But the task is large, the window of opportunity is short, and the risks are existential.” Published in 2021, before Carney formally entered politics, the national bestseller envisions bold changes for the future: a country powered by clean innovation, grounded in ethical capitalism and driven by a sense of shared responsibility. He penned a passionate plan to use the power of democracy alongside the economic...
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Twenty years after conception, Wiidookdaadiwin Lookout officially opens
By Wayne Doyle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BarrieToday.com Originally conceived by a group known as the Huronia Lookout Committee two decades ago, the Wiidookdaadiwin Lookout took its first official breath Wednesday afternoon under a beautiful blue sky and a scorching sun. With more than 100 onlookers gathered to celebrate the opening of the lookout, built on top of former Vespra Landfill No. 14 on George Johnston Road, just south of Snow Valley Road, the site features a huge observation area, hundreds of native plantings, signs explaining the history and importance of the site and the icon — a life-size bronze sculpture of two figures: one, an Indigenous scout, and the other, a canoe-carrying European, and their luggage. The sculpture, created by Hillsdale artist Marlene Hilton Moore, was based on the...
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Ottawa’s foreign aid chief eyes red tape, visibility as Canada resists cutbacks
By Dylan Robertson The MP overseeing foreign aid says Canada must take a more efficient, more visible approach to development and humanitarian assistance to make the case for maintaining aid spending as the United States pulls back. “Those that are staying the course need to be more nimble and need to be more versatile,” said Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for international development, in his first major interview since taking on the role. Sarai said his top priorities in the job are to ensure Canadian aid dollars are being spent efficiently and to give Canadians and aid recipients a better idea of where the money goes. “It doesn’t mean that a sack of grain needs to have a Maple Leaf on it,” he said. While branding can play a role,...
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National chief calls on senators to slow down major projects bill
By Kyle Duggan and Alessia Passafiume The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling on senators to slow down Ottawa’s sprint to pass Prime Minister Mark Carney’s controversial major projects bill this week. Bill C-5 is being introduced at first reading in the upper chamber after it was fast-tracked through the House of Commons and went through a rare pre-study by the Senate. A programming motion adopted by the chamber fixes the bill to a tight schedule, with a final vote that must take place by the end of Friday. The politically charged legislation has angered Indigenous and environmental groups who criticize the government for rushing to grant itself sweeping new powers to fast-track project permits. But Carney has said Canada is facing an economic crisis due...
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Exhibition in Vancouver celebrates repatriation of Tŝilhqot’in items
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune The Tŝilhqot’in Nation has co-developed an exhibition with the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) to celebrate the first major museum return of Tŝilhqot’in ancestral belongings. The exhibition opened on June 20 and will be on display for about a year before travelling to other locations across British Columbia and beyond. “This exhibition represents the change needed in museums around the world—working in relationships of respect, sharing the workload, and telling stories together,” said Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Otis Guichon, tribal chief of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG). The exhibition is part of a larger exhibit at the MOV called The Work of Repair: Redress and Repatriation at the Museum of Vancouver. The Tŝilhqot’in’s portion of the exhibition, Nexwenen Nataghelʔilh or ‘we bring...
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‘They really got the right guy’: Stoney Nakoda metal artist behind custom G7 pins
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYÂRHE NAKODA FIRST NATION – Pulling up to his work bench with a hammer in hand, Andrew Holloway’s superpower is his ability to take a piece of metal and bring it to life. Weaving technique and narrative together through his art, Holloway lets stories guide his work, whether creating custom jewelry pieces or a public sculpture. When the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda metal artist was asked to design and create pins for the G7 finance ministers’ meeting, his approach remained the same. “I always say a story always gives a piece a spirit,” said Holloway. Setting the stage for the G7 Leaders’ Summit, finance ministers from across the world gathered from May 20-22 in Banff to discuss current financial challenges facing...
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Make Canada Build Again? Canadian politicians are suddenly in a rush to get shovels in the ground
By Shannon Waters, The Narwhal Once upon a time, Canada built itself into a great nation. From the highways carved through B.C.’s mountains to the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway, building awe-inspiring infrastructure used to be part of the fabric of Canadian life. And it could be again, provided governments can cut the “red tape” designed to protect ecosystems, communities and Indigenous Rights. At least, that’s the story some Canadian leaders are spinning to help justify new laws aimed at making it quicker and simpler for major projects — from mines and pipelines to hospitals and housing — to get built. These days, the process of building big things in Canada “has become too arduous, has taken too long and has been holding us back,” according to Prime Minister...
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Enbridge says it would pitch new Alberta-B.C. pipeline only under right conditions
By Lauren Krugel Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed confidence one or more private-sector pipeline operators will come forward with a plan to ship oilsands crude to the Port of Prince Rupert, B.C., and test the federal government’s new regime to speed along projects deemed in Canada’s national interest. But if pipeline companies are keen on proposing a new West Coast pipeline project in the near future, they’re not saying so publicly. “We’ve been in active conversations with many pipeline companies, and I feel like we’re pretty close to having either one or a consortium come forward,” Smith told reporters on Tuesday. Enbridge Inc. is Canada’s biggest shipper of crude oil with a vast cross-border network. It’s also the company behind the scrapped Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline to the B.C....
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Ombudsman calls for ‘urgent’ correctional reform after record number of complaints
By Paola Loriggio Ontario’s ombudsman is urging the province to address a “growing crisis” in correctional facilities, pointing to a record number of complaints about facilities in the last year as well as deteriorating conditions. Ombudsman Paul Dubé says in his 2024-25 annual report that there was a 55 per cent increase in complaints about correctional facilities, totalling a record 6,870. Dubé says that while the sector has always been the top source of complaints, the nature and severity of what his office has heard and witnessed demand “urgent attention.” Many of the issues go beyond inefficiencies, Dubé says, to the point of raising questions about basic human rights. He says many of the complaints regarding corrections were about “severe, entrenched problems” such as overcrowding, frequent lockdowns and inadequate health...
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Trump voters cheer his move against Iran. MAGA leaders had warned the bombing could backfire
By Jill Colvin, Gary Fields, Bruce Schreiner And Adriana Gomez Licon FRONT ROYAL, Va. (AP) — As President Donald Trump prepared to order the bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites, many prominent leaders of his “Make America Great Again” movement warned he was making a grave mistake. Tucker Carlson accused Trump of abandoning his pledge to keep the United States out of new wars. Charlie Kirk said an escalation would be too divisive. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, said intervention would thwart the Republican’s most important priority, mass deportations. But interviews with Trump voters across the country this week and early polling suggest Trump’s decision has been welcomed by his political base. While some said they were weary of the U.S. becoming embroiled in a protracted war, most cheered the...
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Fire evacuees in the region could be heading south
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com TIMMINS – Evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation may soon be moved to southern Ontario as officials explore options to house the entire group in one location. Roughly 400 people from the remote northwestern Ontario community are currently spread across three northeastern towns — Val Rita, Kapuskasing, and Smooth Rock Falls — after wildfires forced them to flee two weeks ago. At the June 19 Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) meeting, paramedic service chief Marc Renaud said Sandy Lake leadership is looking to relocate to one site in Barrie. The evacuees are receiving limited on-site support from Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Renaud said. “They’re sending physicians and nurses to the sites, but they’re stretched across the province, so they’re not...
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‘They treat us like shit’: Northern Ontario First Nations prepare for blockades to protest laws fast-tracking resource extraction
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet The resistance to the Ring of Fire is now making camp. Members of Neskantaga and Attiwapiskat First Nationshave begun clearing brush at the point where proposed highways would cross the Attawapiskat River, headed north toward the mineral deposit that’s suspected to hold more than $60-billion worth of critical minerals. The planned bridge sites are 60 and 70 kilometres east of Neskantaga, and another 100 kilometres southwest from the Eagle’s Nest, the mine site developers expect will begin production first. Neskantaga Chief Gary Quisess says the action is in response to this month’s passage of Bill 5 and Bill C-5. The provincial and federal laws, respectively, aim to expedite development by overriding existing laws, including environmental guardrails and regulatory frameworks for First Nations...
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Amid the pressures of fame, Aysanabee is finding his voice and purpose
By David Friend A couple of years ago, Aysanabee didn’t see himself as an alternative music artist, but lately, he doesn’t mind the label. It was thrust upon him at the 2024 Juno Awards in Halifax, where the Oji-Cree musician was nominated in three categories: contemporary Indigenous artist of the year, songwriter of the year and best alternative album for his EP “Here and Now.” He was most surprised by the latter nod. “At first I was like, ‘Oooh, they just put me in alternative. What does that mean?’” he remembers. Junos history would’ve suggested Aysanabee was a shoo-in for the Indigenous category, and less likely to win the others. But the opposite happened. He became the first Indigenous artist to win the alternative album and songwriter categories. Looking back,...
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Filmmaker uses university fund to lead land defence journey in the Far North
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com ATTAWAPISKAT – A student from Attawapiskat First Nation is using his university savings to lead a campaign aimed at reasserting Indigenous presence in the Ring of Fire and challenging the narrative that no one uses the land. Jeronimo Kataquapit, a 20-year-old filmmaker and post-secondary student at the University of Waterloo, has launched a movement called Here We Stand. “This needs to happen,” Kataquapit told TimminsToday. “The land is a large part of who I am. It’s who my parents are. It’s who our ancestors were. The message we’re sending is: we are still here.” On Monday (June 16), Kataquapit and his family began a 20-kilometre journey by boat along the Attawapiskat River to plant community flags and tipi poles at sites of cultural...
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Senate prepares to pass controversial Bill C-5
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Prime Minister Mark Carney’s controversial Bill C-5 is all but guaranteed to become law, but politicians have one last opportunity to make changes to the bill. Over the next three days, senators will make speeches about the bill — which removes barriers to internal trade and grants cabinet the ability to override most environmental laws to approve major projects — and propose amendments. Barring any unusual happenings, Canadians can expect the bill to become law by Friday at the latest. Carney’s decision to rush the bill through the House of Commons drew the ire of the Bloc Québécois, NDP and Green Party, but the Conservatives’ support allowed Carney to force it through the House before summer vacation. Some senators are...
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National data shows overdose deaths dropped in 2024 but still higher than pre-pandemic
By Nicole Ireland National health data released Wednesday shows overdose deaths in Canada dropped in 2024 but the toll still remained much higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. A joint statement from the country’s chief medical officers of health, chief coroners and chief medical examiners said 7,146 people died of opioid-related overdoses between January and December 2024. That’s down from 8,623 deaths in 2023 but much higher than the 3,742 deaths reported in 2019, according to data on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website. The statement said an average of 20 people a day died in 2024 from apparent opioid toxicity. The statement noted that the national numbers “mask important regional differences,” with Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Northwest Territories reporting a rise in opioid-related deaths...
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No word back from province on police study
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader Council wants answer not rumours The M.D. of Opportunity would like an answer from the Government of Alberta on a study into the viability of an RCMP detachment in Calling Lake. Although the study suggested a detachment, the M.D. had heard unofficially that the province wouldn’t fund an RCMP detachment. “I want to see it in writing,” said Councillor Cheri Courtorielle. M.D. staff has been in conversation with the province to try to get an answer. In other policing news, council had lots to say about Municipal Enforcement and Security in general. At the meeting, Bill Auger, manager of Municipal Enforcement and Security, reported to council. As of June 11, he said, the M.D. had 35 dogs in the pounds. Of...
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Senator Patrick Brazeau collapses in chamber during debate on major projects bill
By Dylan Robertson Senate debate on the federal government’s major projects bill was briefly suspended after a senator collapsed on the floor of the chamber. Sen. Patrick Brazeau rose to speak before collapsing sideways onto the floor. Speaker Raymonde Gagné suspended proceedings for roughly half an hour. Paramedics entered the Senate chamber as many senators momentarily left, and Gagné thanked officials and colleagues for responding quickly after reconvening the session. The Quebec senator was speaking about Bill C-5, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s controversial legislation that would grant Ottawa sweeping new powers to fast-track project permits amid a trade war with the U.S. The politically charged legislation has angered Indigenous and environmental groups who argue the legislation does not adequately respect charter rights. The Liberals and Conservatives fast-tracked the bill through...
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Six Nations cannabis meeting raises questions, tempers and interest
By Tara Lindemann Writer The growing and controversial cannabis industry at Six Nations is raising not only some tempers, but turned a sometime heated public meeting at the Six Nations community hall last week into a learning session and love in for the industry. The meeting, organized by Rhonda Martin, a local woman concerned over the rapid growth of the local cannabis industry, focused in on a massive cannabis grow operation on Fourth Line on the outskirts of Ohsweken. The operation has raised the ire of its neighbours who found the operation growing up almost in their backyards. But instead of the meeting raising tempers it turned into an educational awareness and support session not only for the facility still under construction, but for Six Nations’ cannabis industry. An estimated...
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Northern Labrador in ‘crisis’ as people ration food, toilet paper, baby supplies
By Heidi Atter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Independent It’s frustrating for Rosie Harris to go to the two stores in Nain and be unable to buy essential items like toilet paper, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, ketchup, or rice, due to the Kamutik W ferry being unable to deliver to the Inuit community on Labrador’s north coast. Harris has four young children at home who are picky eaters, and without staple foods they eat, the mother has had a hard time cooking enough food they enjoy. She’s also been unable to buy the sensitive laundry detergent her daughter needs, she says. “We are in a crisis, and people need to treat it that way. If not for yourself, then think of the children and think of the elders,” Harris says....
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