Ontario has no business getting involved in Bill C-61 says Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says his first reaction was disbelief when hearing of Ontario and Alberta’s assertions last week that the federal First Nations water legislation will “undermine competitiveness” or “delay project development” and that the act shouldn’t be reintroduced. Those arguments were contained in a letter sent to federal Minister Julie Dabrusin by Ontario Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy and his Alberta counterpart on June 30. “It is extremely disappointing that Ontario would prioritize accelerated project development over providing clean drinking water to First Nations…, there are currently 17 NAN communities under long-term drinking water advisories, five of which have gone over two decades without clean and reliable drinking water,” Fiddler said in a statement Monday. In a separate interview with APTN News, Fiddler said NAN was involved in the development of the original legislation called Bill C-61, or the First Nations Clean Water Act because they recognized that some sort of framework was needed around clean water. That bill died on the order paper earlier this year when Parliament was prorogued. The legislation came after a lawsuit was launched and a negotiated agreement between Canada and the affected First Nations communities. Ontario was not a party to the lawsuit and the legislation extended beyond Ontario. Neither Alberta or Ontario have explained what part of the clean water act will “undermine competitiveness” or trample provincial jurisdiction. Fiddler said he wants to remind both levels of government to be mindful of their obligations to treaty and inherent rights of First Nations. He also reminds them of their commitments to UNDRIP and the principle of free, prior, and informed consent for First Nations who may be affected by projects on their lands. “There needs to be space and room for these communities to engage in these very important discussions with those things in place.” Fiddler also points to the Ontario government’s introduction of Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing the Economy Act, saying it’s another example of the Ford government neglecting the rights of first Nations to prioritize accelerated development. “This is further proof that the Premier and his Ministers are determined to bulldoze First Nations’ rights no matter the cost – even the most basics necessities of life like clean drinking water.” Meanwhile, Ontario signed agreements with Alberta Monday to build infrastructure and energy corridors that include a possible railway to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region. The two non-legally binding memorandums of understanding about increasing trade and building energy corridors, include commitments to build oil and natural gas pipelines to northern and southern Ontario. According to a news release, the two provinces have agreed to collaborate in several areas, including the “development of rail infrastructure to support the subsequent phases of the Ring of Fire, including all critical mineral mining projects and the infrastructure needed to support them, as well as processing and refining capacity needed for an end-to-end Canadian critical minerals supply chain, including access to western Canadian ports.” “New rail lines would connect Ontario’s Ring of Fire region, critical mineral mining projects and processing facilities to western Canadian ports as we build an end-to-end critical mineral supply chain,” Ford said Monday at the Calgary Stampede alongside Smith. The two provinces will embark in the fall on a feasibility study on railways, pipelines and port projects. Ontario is also looking for support from the federal government to build a deep sea port in James Bay to get its critical minerals and Alberta’s oil and gas to Atlantic Canada and overseas. Fiddler acknowledged “there’s a tremendous push by provincial governments and the federal government to expedite and fast track major projects, whether it’s pipelines or the Ring of Fire.” “But, our position is that the basic needs of our communities including access to clean safe drinking water is a priority and those needs need to be met first before our communities can engage in major resource development in their territories,” Fiddler said. Read More: Two First Nations setting up encampment near proposed bridge to Ring of Fire Alberta and Ontario ask Carney government to ‘refrain’ from reintroducing First Nations clean water bill Indigenous leaders waiting for an invite to Carney’s promised summits, a week after ‘surprise announcement’  Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government also recently passed legislation designed to fast track “nation building” projects. Both Ford and Carney want to see the Ring of Fire mined for its critical minerals and say they will respect First Nations’ rights in the process. But the two new laws have sparked outrage from First Nations who say they weren’t properly consulted about the legislation and their concerns are being ignored. First Nations have threatened blockades of highways, railways and mines in response. Several communities have begun mobilizing peacefully across different parts of Ontario. That included a four-day traffic slowdown along the Trans-Canada Highway by Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, a First Nation north of Lake Superior. Attawapiskat and Neskantaga First Nations have set up an encampment near a proposed bridge to the Ring of Fire. And several Grassy Narrows First Nation members have set up an encampment in the park next to the Ontario legislature in downtown Toronto. Fiddler said there will be much more to talk about if a yet to be confirmed meeting between Indigenous organizations and the Prime Minister on Bill C-5 goes ahead July 17. With files from The Canadian Press Tags: Alberta, Bill 5, Bill C-5, Bill C-61, deep sea port, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, James Bay, NAN, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Ontario, rail line, Ring of Fire Continue Reading