COO head says First Nations must be part of any resource development projects

The Chiefs of Ontario say that while both the Liberals and Conservatives are pushing resource development in this election campaign, they need to slow down and make sure First Nations are included. “First Nations need to be at the table from the beginning,” Ontario Regional Chief Benedict Abram said. “They cannot be an afterthought. They can’t be a checkmark on a consultation process. First Nations communities that are impacted by these projects, by these initiatives want to be partners at the table. Want to be part of the decision making, part of the planning process that occurs.” U.S. President Donald Trump’s continued threats of tariffs and annexation has had both major parties talking about speeding up energy and critical minerals projects as way of securing Canadian sovereignty. Northern Ontario is home to a number of critical minerals essential to the electric car industry. This week the COO released its own election priorities document Pathways to Progress which highlights issues such as First Nations economic development, policing and housing that the organization wants the next government to move on. Read More:  Mining versus a green economy is a question Kitigan Zibi voters will answer in the federal election The president of the Métis National Council says affordability is a top of mind issue for her organization in this election campaign. “Not only are all Canadians feeling a pinch and facing an increased cost of living but Métis people are specifically already struggling post-Covid,” Victoria Pruden said. Indigenous issues have largely taken a back seat in this campaign so far as the Trump threats have largely dominated the discourse. Pruden also said the MNC is already preparing for tighter fiscal times and funding regardless of which party forms the next government. An APTN Investigates reporter says Indigenous police forces are pushed to the max as they struggle deal with a lack of government funding from both Ottawa and the provinces. “Any one of these things is maybe not the end of the world,” Tom Fennario said. “We all know these things happen. It’s kind of a nickel and diming situation where they all add up.” Fennario recently did an Investigates piece where he visited First Nations police services in Ontario and Quebec. He said the lack of funding means these police forces don’t have enough officers or vehicles and lack space for cells to detain suspects or safely store firearms. In 2021, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to draft legislation that would deem Indigenous police an essential service and give these forces more stable funding. But the legislation has yet to be drafted and Indigenous police serves are forced to rely on contracts with federal and provincial governments which they say don’t give sufficient funding. Continue Reading