Manitoba pledges economic reconciliation in speech to AFN Chiefs

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province is handling proposed project initiatives differently and is pledging a new era of economic reconciliation. “You kind of have an idea lab, a test experiment going on across the country right now with a bunch of different regions trying to pursue mega projects at the same time,” Kinew told chiefs in attendance at the Assembly of First Nations gathering in Winnipeg on Wednesday, “And a lot of them are putting the cart before the horse. “Here in Manitoba, we’re saying we’re gonna take the time to have those conversations first.” The conversations Kinew referred to are consultations over development projects, which have been a focus for federal and provincial governments since U.S. President Donald Trump made good on threats to disrupt Canada’s economy with tariffs. Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed the One Canadian Economy Law, also known as Bill C-5, through the House of Commons and the Senate in just two weeks before the summer break. The law allows the federal cabinet to fast-track major projects deemed to be in the national interest. It has seen strong opposition from some First Nations leaders and community members who fear it will infringe on their inherent treaty rights. AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak was the only First Nation leader given an opportunity to provide evidence on the bill before committee prior to its passage. The prime minister later called a summit in July to consult First Nations leaders—after the bill had already passed. Kinew, who is a citizen of the Ojibways of Onigaming in northern Ontario, positioned Manitoba as an example of a different approach. “We want to send a message to the rest of Canada about is this. You can’t do nation building without the First Nations of this land,” said Kinew. “And you tell me if I’m wrong here, but I think in the next two years we’ll see that this approach that puts the conversation ahead of time, gets things built faster or at least as quickly as anywhere else in the country.” ‘Here in Manitoba, we don’t do an after-the-fact conversation’ Ian Bushie told chiefs in Winnipeg. Photo: Mark Blackburn/APTN. Ian Bushie, minister of natural resources and Indigenous futures in Manitoba, told leaders that, as a former chief in the province himself, he understands from experience the pressures they are under to develop while being accountable to their communities. “What I want to be able to communicate to you is that I know the challenges. I know what you’re facing. I know what you’re hearing in the band office. I know what you’re hearing out in the bush. I know what you’re hearing on the water, and I know what those opportunities have been because I’ve sat in your shoes,” he said. Bushie detailed new initiatives launched by Manitoba under an economic reconciliation agenda, which includes a $300 million Indigenous loan guarantee program and co-developing a critical mineral strategy with First Nations at the table. “Here in Manitoba, we don’t do an after-the-fact conversation. We’re engaging nations from day one because that’s the right thing to do. Engaging nations in terms of what that means for decision making, revenue sharing,” he said. “It’s not about us without us, and that’s the commitment that we make to you as well. Not about you without you.” APTN News is livestreaming the gathering which runs until Friday. Continue Reading