Carney points to Grays Bay as key nation-building project
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News After meeting with Canada’s premiers in Saskatoon Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Mark Carney name-dropped Nunavut’s Grays Bay road and port as a major project of national significance he wants to see get approved quickly. The comment came in response to a reporter asking why a joint news release from the prime minister and premiers did not list any specific projects. “I can give you, if I may, lots of examples of those projects, which range from Grays Bay port and road,” Carney said, before naming several other projects across Canada. “There is a long list of projects that bring the country together, diversify our markets, make us more resilient, create good jobs and growth, have very good prospects of Indigenous partnerships,...
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Norfolk OPP increasing presence for students’ “Beach Day” gathering
OPP’s Norfolk detachment is warning the many local students who are ditching school to attend “Beach Day” on June 6 to make smart decisions. While the unofficial tradition is not endorsed by police, schools or some parents, students ditch school to gather on the first Friday of June at beaches in Long Point, Turkey Point, and Port Dover. There will be increased police in and around local beaches and in surrounding communities and violations under the Highway Traffic Act, Liquor Licence and Control Act, Cannabis Control Act, Trespass to Property Act, and the Criminal Code will be strictly enforced. Officers will be focusing on behaviours that put people at risk, including underage drinking, impaired driving, trespassing, property damage, and any other unlawful or unsafe activity “We recognize that students may...
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About 15,000 have fled Saskatchewan wildfires and more coming: Premier Moe
As Manitoba grapples with wildfires that have forced more than 17,000 people from their homes, the premier of Saskatchewan said Tuesday the situation is becoming just as dire in his province. Scott Moe said upwards of 15,000 in Saskatchewan have had to leave their communities and more are likely in the coming days. “We didn’t have a very good day yesterday, with the weather the way it was, where the fires are and just how aggressive they are as they bear down on communities,” he told reporters at a wildfire update in Prince Albert, Sask. “We’re probably approaching in the neighbourhood of 15,000 people that have been evacuated across the province and being supported in communities throughout Saskatchewan, and more families are leaving their homes as we speak.” Moe said...
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Indigenous services minister says First Nations support for developments ‘critical’
By Alessia Passafiume The federal minister of Indigenous services says she and the other Indigenous members of cabinet support their party’s plan to fast-track infrastructure development — despite significant pushback from First Nations leaders. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty says Prime Minister Mark Carney has “reaffirmed” First Nations will be included in discussions about projects the federal government could fast-track under pending legislation, and that their input is “critical” to allowing those projects to move forward. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak sent a letter to Carney on Friday about legislation the federal government is developing to speed up work on certain projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process. In it, she said she fears the proposed legislation could violate the rights of First Nations people and undermine...
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Environmentalists criticize Trump administration push for new oil and gas drilling in Alaska
By Becky Bohrer And Mark Thiessen ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Top Trump administration officials — fresh off touring one of the country’s largest oil fields in the Alaska Arctic — headlined an energy conference led by the state’s Republican governor on Tuesday that environmentalists criticized as promoting new oil and gas drilling and turning away from the climate crisis. Several dozen protesters were outside Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference in Anchorage, where U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin were featured speakers. The federal officials were continuing a multiday trip aimed at highlighting President Donald Trump’s push to expand oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in the state. The trip has included meetings with pro-drilling groups and...
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Got heart, no equipment: First Nations left defenceless against Manitoba fires
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer As wildfires continue to burn across Manitoba, First Nations leaders say their communities remain “defenceless” due to a lack of proper firefighting equipment and resources. The province is experiencing one of its most severe wildfire seasons in decades, with 25 active fires. There have been a total of 106 already this season, far above the province’s 20-year annual average of 84 at this time of year. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, at a press conference on May 30, explained that the province is throwing everything it has at the fires. “We are using every firefighter that we have,” Kinew said. But Gordie Bear, chief of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (also known as Pukatawagan), said the province is overlooking a key resource:...
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Status of Alaska Highway could change quickly due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
By Brieanna Charlebois A stretch of the Alaska Highway west of Fort Nelson, B.C., reopened to single-lane alternating traffic later Tuesday, but British Columbia’s driving information service says the status of the route could change quickly based on a nearby wildfire. The DriveBC website shows the out-of-control Summit Lake wildfire is affecting a roughly 162-kilometre stretch of the route, which is also known as Highway 97. The route between Grouse Trail and Toad Mountain Road has closed and reopened to single-lane alternating traffic multiple times since Monday. The BC Wildfire Service says that although maintaining access to the highway is a priority, the safety of crews and the public is its primary objective. It says the Summit Lake fire spans about 26 square kilometres and is one of two “wildfires...
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Igniting Awareness, Extinguishing Risk: Enhancing Fire Safety in Indigenous Communities Across Canada to Help Save More Lives
The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, Firefighters Without Borders, and Kidde partner to provide smoke alarms and education, addressing critical home fire safety gaps. The following joint news release has been issued on behalf of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, Firefighters Without Borders and Kidde. TORONTO, June 04, 2025– In Canada, Indigenous people experience higher rates of fire-related deaths often due to insufficient access to fire safety resources and working smoke alarms 1, especially at home. To address these factors, a new initiative was developed in collaboration with the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC), Firefighters Without Borders (FWB), and Kidde , North America’s #1 home fire safety brand2. Through these important partnerships, Kidde will contribute nearly $400,000 CAD worth of smoke alarms to 16 First Nations communities, marking...
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There is no time to slow-walk reconciliation, says author of guidebook for next steps
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com As wildfires force First Nations communities to evacuate in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the easiest way for allies to step up is to donate to the Canadian Red Cross, says Rose LeMay, author of Ally is a Verb: A Guide to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. But allies can do even more. As accommodations in hotels become increasingly strained, LeMay says allies can call for universities and colleges to open up their student housing. And allies can lobby politicians for stronger, faster responses. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong at all with lobbying for effective government services. I’m guessing governments from provincial, territorial to federal governments, are overwhelmed. It seems that they are doing as best as they can,” said LeMay. “Governments...
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Carney says he’ll ‘take note’ of opposition motion to table a spring economic update
By David Baxter Prime Minister Mark Carney said he will “take note” of the successful opposition motion to add language calling for a spring economic update to the throne speech, but did not say when or how that will happen. “We take note of last night’s motion. But what Canadians deserve … what Canadian provinces deserve is a health care transfer, a transfer for child care, a transfer for dental care, a transfer for support affordability. That’s what’s in the main estimates and we expect the support of members opposite,” Carney said during question period Tuesday. The government last week tabled main spending estimates worth nearly $487 billion. MPs will be required to vote on the estimates to keep government operations running into the summer. Conservative and Bloc MPs used...
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‘Out from under the Indian Act’: Heiltsuk Nation, B.C., signs official constitution
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune The Haíłzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation has signed into effect its written constitution, passed through generations, during a ratification feast on Friday, May 30, in Bella Bella. “This is a monumental day,” said Marilyn Slett, Chief of the Haíłzaqv Nation, located on the Central Coast of B.C. “It’s been there, it’s been part of our DNA for as long as we’ve been Haíłzaqv people,” Slett said of the constitution. Putting the nation’s constitution into writing and having it ratified by the people affirms the nation’s decision to be governed by joint leadership. This includes the elected chief and council, the Yímás Council (hereditary council) and the W̓úm̓aqs du M̓ṇúyaqs Council. “That’s a good feeling to get out from under the Indian...
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Hagersville buzzing as Ag Day revival nears
By J.P. Antonacci, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator Organizers opted for a throwback to celebrate Hagersville’s 150th birthday. Ag Day — a beloved agriculture-themed festival held annually in the rural Haldimand County town in the 1980s and ’90s — returns on June 6 as the centrepiece of Hagersville’s sesquicentennial celebration. In its heyday, Ag Day attracted thousands looking to learn about farming in a fun way. Last year, with residents anticipating the milestone anniversary and pining for Ag Day’s return, chamber of commerce members Nancy Snyder and Lisa Mattice volunteered to lead the charge. “Our vision from the start was this was a community-based, free, interactive event, with agriculture and history,” Snyder said. The duo were “astounded” when more than 100 townsfolk stepped forward to help. “And we...
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G7 protests to be livestreamed to leaders in Kananaskis to give protesters a voice
By Bill Graveland Law enforcement officials overseeing security at the upcoming G7 leaders summit in Alberta are expecting large protests but plan to make sure they stay peaceful. That includes livestreaming some of the sites to Kananaskis, where leaders from Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Union will meet from June 15 to 17. “These three designated G7 demonstration zones will have live audio and video feeds, which will be broadcast to G7 leaders and delegations at the site of the summit in Kananaskis,” said RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall at a media briefing Monday. “People who want to express themselves, as is their right, can’t get close to the leaders, so the leaders won’t see and hear the protests. So by...
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Premiers emerge united from meeting with Carney, no specific projects identified
By Kyle Duggan and Jeremy Simes Ontario Premier Doug Ford says today’s ( Monday June 2 2025) discussion about nation-building projects with Prime Minister Mark Carney was the best meeting of Canada’s premiers in 10 years. The provincial and territorial leaders sat down with Carney in Saskatoon today, bringing with them wish lists of projects they hope the federal government will deem to be in the national interest. Carney says a number of projects were discussed around the table but there was no final list of projects announced as the meeting concluded. He says the projects under consideration include critical minerals pathways, nuclear power, and decarbonizing Canadian oil and gas production. He also says upcoming federal legislation will mandate meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples including in what projects get picked...
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‘I learned my language to be a teacher’
By Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Pique Newsmagazine Capilano University (CapU) is set to honour Lil’wat Elder Saw̓t Martina Pierre with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to reconciliation, empowerment and cultural preservation. Pierre is a residential school survivor and lifelong educator whose work revolves around revitalizing the Nation’s traditional language—for others as much as herself. “I had always wanted to be a teacher, and I had always wanted to revive my culture and language and my spirituality, [my] rights as a legal person,” she told Pique. “After I had my family, I learned my language to be a teacher.” Starting a community school Pierre was instrumental in starting up Lil’wat’s first-ever community school in the 1970s. The Nation had a day school run by nuns as...
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Hotel spaces freed up in Winnipeg for wildfire evacuees, Alberta dealing with winds
By Brittany Hobson Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Monday hotels in Winnipeg are opening up to thousands of evacuees who have fled their homes due to raging wildfires. Speaking ahead of the premiers’ conference in Saskatoon, Kinew said some 1,000 hotel rooms are being made available for evacuees in the province’s capital city. “Nobody wants to sleep on a cot for more than a day or two, even in an emergency,” Kinew said. “We’re connecting folks who need those enhanced accessibility supports first and then broadening it out to everybody else who needs help, too.” More than 17,000 people have been displaced since last week, including all 5,000 residents of Flin Flon. Emergency centres were set up as available hotel rooms in cities have been scarce. Some residents from Pimicikamak...
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Peru reduces Nazca Lines park by 42%, raising concerns over environmental and heritage risks
By Steven Grattan BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Peru’s decision to shrink its archeological park home to the famous Nazca Lines by around 42% — an area roughly the size of 1,400 soccer fields — has sparked alarm among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates. Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and weakens decades of cultural and ecological protection, while the government says the adjustment reflects updated scientific studies and does not compromise the UNESCO World Heritage status or the site’s core protections. “The reduction not only removes protections — it does so precisely where extractive activity is expanding,” said Mariano Castro, Peru’s former vice minister of the environment, adding that the decision could cause “very serious risks and cumulative damage,” as it excludes zones with active or...
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Former national chief calls for list of demands as PM, premiers talk infrastructure
By Alessia Passafiume The former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling for an emergency meeting of chiefs to come up with demands for governments as they seek to fast-track projects they deem to be in the “national interest.” Phil Fontaine says the federal, provincial and territorial governments are trying to demolish First Nations rights and interests as they move to accelerate project approvals in a way that does not “honour the first peoples.” He is urging current National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak to convene an emergency meeting of chiefs from across the country to bring forward a list of demands for the governments. Fontaine’s call came as Prime Minister Mark Carney met with premiers in Saskatoon Monday to discuss a draft list of “national interest” projects...
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Hundreds of First Nations members protest Ontario mining bill at Queen’s Park
By Allison Jones and Liam Casey Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government is pushing through a controversial mining bill despite the protests of several hundred First Nations members who came from the far north to the front lawn of Queen’s Park on Monday. The province has moved to shut down debate on a mining law known as Bill 5 that would give the government power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas they deem to have economic importance – and remove some endangered species protections. The proposed legislation has sparked an angry backlash from First Nations who say the bill tramples their rights and ignores their concerns. The government is speeding up the passage of a plethora of bills before the legislature rises later this week for...
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Bill 5 amendments don’t address ‘true issue’, says grand chief
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com Mushkegowuk Council’s grand chief is calling on the Ontario government to withdraw its controversial Bill 5. Grand Chief Leo Friday said recent amendments don’t address the fundamental issue: the province’s failure to recognize the right of First Nations to free, prior and informed consent. “Adding clarification regarding ‘consultation’ does nothing to address the true issue,” said Friday in a statement on May 29. “We have seen the Crown dishonour the concept of consultation so that it has become essentially meaningless.” Bill 5, also known as the Protecting Ontario by Enabling Economic Growth Act, would allow the province to fast-track development by creating “special economic zones” and exempting select projects from environmental laws, municipal bylaws, and consultation requirements with Indigenous communities. On Thursday the...
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