Major projects will be slowed by court challenges if rights are violated: B.C. chief
By Alessia Passafiume The regional chief for British Columbia said Wednesday that governments should not speed up major projects at the expense of First Nations rights — and warned that projects will be slowed down by court challenges if First Nations are not consulted from the start. “We’re asking the government to follow your own laws,” Terry Teegee said, citing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that the federal government adopted. The government of Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced major economic legislation last week. The bill has two parts — one to break down federal barriers to internal trade and the other to fast-track major projects. It sets out five criteria to determine whether a project is in the “national interest.” Those criteria include the project’s...
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Government rejects Bloc’s call to split internal trade, major projects legislation
By Sarah Ritchie The Liberal government is rejecting a call from the Bloc Québécois to split its marquee legislation in two and allow part of it to speed through the House of Commons this summer. The bill — known as Bill C-5, or the free trade and labour mobility in Canada act —was introduced last Friday. It has two parts. The first portion addresses internal trade barriers the Liberals have promised to tackle by July 1. The second part proposes to make sweeping changes to speed up approvals of major projects. The Bloc argued the internal trade portion of the legislation could be passed relatively quickly with broad support from the House of Commons, but called for a separate study of the changes to major project reviews. “The bill as...
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Community Futures Peterborough makes ‘record-breaking investment’ of $100,000 in 10 area organizations
By Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, KawarthaNOW From helping bring to life “the dream of a place to farm closer for aspiring farmers,” to creating an inclusive community for newcomers to Peterborough, these are two ways $100,000 is going to be used locally courtesy of grants recently awarded to 10 organizations. On Tuesday (June 10), Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) announced the recipients of the 2025 Community Advancement Program (CAP), a non-repayable funding program that supports projects that foster economic stability, investment, and employment across the city of Peterborough and Peterborough County. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, CFP is providing $100,000 to 10 organizations in the region. According to a media release, the “record-breaking investment” underscores the non-profit organization’s “long-standing dedication to fostering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities throughout...
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Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe promises $500 in direct aid to each wildfire evacuee
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, facing criticism that his government is failing to provide timely help to those fleeing wildfires, promised Wednesday a $500 payout for each evacuee. Moe said that money is on top of existing supports for the more than 10,000 people forced out of their homes due to a string of wildfires in Saskatchewan’s northern region. “It’s an investment that will be available very shortly to families,” Moe said at a news conference in Saskatoon. “It will be available to support them in their evacuation and also potentially in repatriation to their communities.” The money will go to those over 18. Moe has faced criticism from the provincial ombudsman and others that his government failed to provide timely aid to evacuees, leaving some without shelter and having to...
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Alberta premier faces raucous, angry town hall on province’s coal policy
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and three of her ministers got an earful from southern Alberta locals at a rowdy, hours-long town hall to discuss the province’s coal policy. About 500 people, dressed in cowboy hats, belt buckles, and jeans, packed a community hall in Fort Macleod, Alta., for an event marked by heckling, competing applause, and placards. The premier and her ministers of energy, environment and agriculture took questions and were shouted down on several occasions by attendees as they defended changes to the province’s coal policy. The town hall came weeks after the Alberta Energy Regulator, or AER, granted an Australia-based coal company permission to start a controversial coal exploration on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. A new study by Alberta government scientists, which has yet to...
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Protests at G7 summit in Alberta set to be largely peaceful, targeting Trump policies
By Fakiha Baig Protests during the upcoming G7 leaders summit in Kananaskis, Alta., may be starkly different than demonstrations happening this week against immigration crackdowns in the United States. A University of Toronto research group that has been monitoring the meetings of world leaders since 1998 says its analysis shows Canadian protests are more peaceful and smaller. But similar to the recent demonstrations in Los Angeles, they’re likely to be against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. “The Los Angeles protests will add another (issue) the protesters going there already care about, but it won’t do anything much more than that,” said John Kirton, director of the G7 Research Group. “I don’t think it’ll bring more protesters, too. Nor will the L.A. protests delay Trump from coming here.” Prime...
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Continued failure to consult on uranium exploration a harmful mistake: Mi’kmaw Chiefs
By Lyndsay Armstrong Nova Scotia’s continued failure to consult with First Nations on uranium exploration is a mistake that will further erode the province’s relationship with Mi’kmaq communities, says the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and a lawyer from Sipekne’katik First Nation. Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Tamara Young said the Mi’kmaq people were neither consulted nor notified when Nova Scotia introduced then passed a bill that opens the province up to potential uranium mining and fracking. “The lack of consultation is unacceptable and goes against the UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples),” Young said in a statement to The Canadian Press on Wednesday. The assembly has said they will continue to oppose both uranium exploration and hydraulic fracturing until their environmental concerns have been...
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Around 7,000 Saskatchewan wildfire evacuees set to return to their homes
Around 7,000 people in and around La Ronge, Sask., can start going home today after a wildfire forced them out of their communities a little more than one week ago. A notice says La Ronge, Air Ronge and communities within the Lac La Ronge Indian Band will reopen to residents at 8 a.m. Lyle Hannan, the director of the local emergency operation centre, has said rain in the last few days helped crews contain the wildfire near the community. He has also said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency was able to bring in more staff and resources to fight the fire. Saskatchewan is reporting 23 active wildfires, with six considered not contained. Premier Scott Moe, facing criticism that his government was failing to provide timely help to evacuees, has promised...
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Indigenous leaders express alarm as Ontario’s Bill 5 becomes law
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor ONTARIO—Despite vocal opposition from Indigenous Nations, environmental organizations, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), the Ford government is pushing ahead with Bill 5—the “Protecting Ontario by Enabling Economic Growth Act, 2025.” The bill, which amends multiple environmental and land-use statutes, including those that attempt to overturn nation to nation treaty with First Nations in Ontario, has passed committee and is now on its way to third reading in the Ontario Legislature. The legislation has been widely criticized for weakening key environmental safeguards, limiting public input, and undermining Indigenous rights to consultation and consent. Among its most controversial provisions are amendments to the Endangered Species Act, the Planning Act, which opens up threats to any and all lands, private...
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Sir John A. Macdonald statue back in view at Queen’s Park after five years boarded up
The Sir John A. Macdonald statue outside the Ontario legislature is back in full view after spending the past five years in a box. The statue of Canada’s first prime minister has been under hoarding since 2020, when it was vandalized with pink paint. The monument was one of many that were targeted across the country amid anti-racism protests and as Canadians grappled with the history of residential schools. Macdonald is considered an architect of the country’s notorious residential school system, which took Indigenous children from their families in an effort to assimilate them. Progressive Conservative and Liberal members of a non-partisan board of the legislative assembly agreed earlier this month on a motion to remove the hoarding after the statue is cleaned. Speaker Donna Skelly says she recognizes the...
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A tourism information centre is being built on the historic E. Pauline Johnson mansion site by Six Nations Elected Council
A large tourism information Centre is being built on the historic E. Pauline Johnson mansion historic site on Highway 54 by Six Nations Elected Council is causing controversy. Construction has begun without community consultation. The building site is close to the mansion. The entire site holds a national historic designation. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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AFN to hold emergency meeting with chiefs on major projects bill
By Alessia Passafiume The Assembly of First Nations will hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss the implications of federal legislation that would speed up approvals for major projects. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak met Thursday with Prime Minister Mark Carney about his government’s new bill, tabled Friday. She said she remains “deeply concerned” about the legislation’s potential impact on First Nations. “First Nations support efforts to protect Canada from economic uncertainty and advance resource revenue sharing agreements,” she said. “However, First Nations are very concerned that this proposal may violate many collective rights … Failure to obtain free, prior and informed consent will likely result in protracted litigation.” The legislation has two parts — one to break down internal trade barriers and the other to fast track major...
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Six Nations woman loses life in trailer fire
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- The Ontario Fire Marshall and Six Nations Police are investigating a house trailer fire on River Range Road that has claimed the life of a 68-year-old woman. Six Nations Police received a call at 1:03 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4., and Six Nations Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and police were on scene at 3493 River Range Road within minutes, blocking the road. The 68-year-old woman was found inside the house trailer that she lived in. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. Six Nations Police have not released the name of the deceased. “I heard something, and went out, and then saw the smoke,” said a bystander who asked not to be identified. He had arrived moments after he heard an inexplicable...
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Despite financial concerns some Six Nations band staff continue to be housed in Brantford
Some Six Nations staff will continue to operate from Brantford for the next five years despite financial issues raise by two councillors. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved a five-year office space lease at Six Nations Polytechnic’s Brantford campus, following a split vote at the General Finance meeting. The decision directs the new CEO Tracy Brant to sign the lease and utilize department funds for the space starting July 1. The lease was brought forward by the Data Governance Committee and presented by Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Court. The office space has already been in use since August 2024 by departments including Data Analytics and Insights, Communications, and Health Planning. Court explained the site is also being used as a “hoteling” office — a shared space for rotating staff who...
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Six Nations Elected Council sets aside up to $125,000 to help pow wow
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is setting aside up to $125,000 for this years Grand River champion of Champions Pow Wow. The possible funding allocation was among four recommendations from the Six Nations Community Committee approved by SNEC last week, covering issues ranging from fire service fees to funding support for the 2025 Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow. The motions were presented during the General Finance meeting on June 2 and introduced by the Community Committee. Grand River champion of Champions Pow Wow The funding allocation of up to $125,000 is to offset costs associated with the 2025 Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow. Councillor Alaina VanEvery raised the possibility of delaying the motion, noting that new grassroots funding streams from Six Nations of the Grand River...
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ISC funding amendments include increase for special education funding
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has approved several new funding amendments and additions as part of its ongoing five-year Comprehensive Funding Agreement with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), which covers the period from 2021 to 2026. SNEC approved four additional funding amendments totaling nearly $300,000 at the General Finance meeting held on June 2. These amendments will provide increased support for health, education, and community services across Six Nations. Jennifer Court, Director of Finance, presented the latest amendments to SNEC. One of the largest additions includes $127,500 in funding for the Supplementary Health Program Navigator initiative. These navigators help community members access and understand various health benefits and services, supporting a more streamlined and accessible health care experience. The Six Nations Education Department is also set to receive $116,463 in targeted...
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Ontario’s Bill 5 passes, amid Indigenous concerns
Indigenous leadership says it is mobilizing its membership and moving to shut down Ontario’s controverial Bill 5 the “Protect Ontairo by Unleashing our Economy Act.” Ontario First Nations leaders say the controversial bill infringes on treaty rights, and are warning of “conflict on the ground. Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, passed last Thursday, includes major changes to the province’s endangered species and environmental protection laws. It creates “special economic zones” that would suspend provincial and municipal laws for certain projects and is taking aim at the “Ring of Fire.” Premier Doug Ford said the Ring of Fire mineral deposit in northern Ontario and his proposed tunnel under Highway 401 would be given that special status under the proposed law. Since it was tabled last...
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Mississauga Credit First Nation calls Bill 5 “dangerous”
MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT FIRST NATION- Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) council says Ontario’s Bill 5 is “a dangerous rollback” on Indigenous rights. MCFN said the Ontario government’s, Bill 5, Protecting Ontario by unleashing our Economy Act, is “a dangerous rollback of Indigenous and environmental rights, and a troubling signal of modern-day colonization under the guise of economic development.” In a statement June 6, MCFN chief Claire Sault said the province had promised consultation after the bill was tabled. Instead, the legislation was rushed without any engagement with MCFN , whose treaty territory covers a large part of Southern Ontario. “This is not consultation,” she states. “This is legalized lawlessness,” she said. “Changing the law to bypass the duty to consult and fast-track industry’s priorities isn’t economic leadership,...
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How the Grand River is inspiring kids to read more books
Celeste Percy-Beauregard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Hamilton Spectator An ambitious challenge has youngsters from two schools on Six Nations of the Grand River racing to read 280 kilometres worth of books. The read-a-thon was hatched by the YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford as part of its Beyond the Bell program, which provides after-school learning enrichment to students in priority areas. One example is this “playful competition,” which aims to get the students interested in reading and working as a team, area supervisor Patrick Pfeiffer said. It pits I.L. Thomas Elementary School and Emily C. General Elementary School — both with the Six Nations School District — against each other to see who can read the length of the Grand River first. No small feat, considering the waterway flows from...
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Two First Nations working on roads to Ring of Fire do not support new mining law
By Liam Casey Two First Nations in and around the Ring of Fire that signed deals with the provincial government are speaking out against a new Ontario law. Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon says his community objects to the law known as Bill 5, which seeks to speed up development, particularly mining projects. The legislation passed last week allows Ontario to suspend provincial and municipal laws by creating so-called special economic zones for certain projects it chooses. Ontario intends to name the mineral-rich Ring of Fire as the first such zone, but the law has created a firestorm of anger among many First Nations. Aroland signed a shared-prosperity agreement with the province in January for major upgrades to roads that lead to the Ring of Fire, but Gagnon says...
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