Current Problems: Treaties and Land Claims
Exploring Stakeholder: "Government of Ontario"
Updates on this page: 37
(Filtered by Theme "Aboriginal Rights and Title")
January 24, 2024
Ontario First Nations want a year-long pause on mining claims. Will the Ford government listen?
Thousands of online mining claims are being made on the territories of First Nations without their consent — and often they aren’t even told about it Alex Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation alongside members of Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows), Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake), Wapekeka, Neskantaga and Muskrat Dam First Nations in September 2023. As...
November 7, 2023
Supreme Court of Canada hears Ontario’s appeal of landmark Robinson Huron treaty annuities case
The province is appealing an Ontario Court of Appeal decision in 2021 CBC Indigenous: More than six years since its first day in court, the Robinson-Huron treaty annuities case is being heard in the Supreme Court of Canada today and Wednesday. At the centre of the landmark case is a promise that annuities to Indigenous communities would increase...
August 29, 2023
First Nations chiefs demand return of Greenbelt land, call for criminal investigation of Ford government
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz | News | August 29th 2023 Following their Emergency Chiefs Assembly, the leaders also called for a criminal investigation into the province’s removal of Greenbelt land for housing development. Photo submitted by Chiefs of Ontario Communications Sector from a previous event Listen to article Canada’s National Observer: First Nations leaders in Ontario are demanding the Ford government...
August 29, 2023
Ontario First Nations leaders reiterate opposition to Greenbelt land swap in unanimous vote
Chiefs of Ontario says province didn’t adequately consult First Nations on Greenbelt decision CBC News: First Nations leaders from across Ontario are demanding the provincial government return environmental protections to land it recently removed from the Greenbelt to build housing. The Chiefs of Ontario, an organization that advocates for 133 First Nations in the province,...
August 22, 2023
Marten Falls chief wants housing and water issues fixed ahead of Ring of Fire mining
Bruce Achneepineskum and community won’t be satisfied with the ‘bare minimum’ in consenting to James Bay development NationTalk: Northern Ontario Business – The chief of Marten Falls First Nation isn’t opposed to mine development, he’s just cautious about what should be included in any future agreement connected to the Ring of Fire. Bruce Achneepineskum wants...
July 31, 2023
Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek Resolves to Protect Its Treaty Rights Against Unconstitutional Mining Claim Registration
NationTalk: GULL BAY, ON – Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation) (KZA) has publicly affirmed its resolve to protect its treaty rights against unconstitutional mining claim registration. In recent weeks, there has been a rush of new mining claim registration in the close vicinity of KZA’s reserve at Gull River. “The Mining Act permits...
April 27, 2023
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek issues a formal response to Ontario government’s proposed Bill 71, Building More Mines Act
We do not support Bill 71 and call for a complete review of the Ontario Mining Act in collaboration with First Nations in Ontario NationTalk: AnishinabekNews.ca – ATIKAMEKSHENG ANISHNAWBEK – After careful review and consideration of the impacts that Ontario’s Bill 71, Building More Mines Act, 2023, will have on the traditional territories of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek,...
April 26, 2023
Can the Crown make land decisions without First Nations consent? Treaty 9 lawsuit argues no
Lawyer calls lawsuit ‘frontal attack’ on colonial idea governments have ‘supreme right to rule’ CBC News: Several First Nations have announced their intention to take the Ontario and Canadian governments to court, in a lawsuit their lead lawyer says could fundamentally change the way resource and land management decisions are made in the Treaty 9 area. Leaders...
April 14, 2023
AFN Affirms Support for First Nations’ Assertion of Rights in Treaty 9 Legal Action on Cumulative Impacts
NationTalk: Ottawa, ON – On Tuesday, during its Special Chiefs Assembly, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) adopted a Resolution in support of litigation launched by Chapleau Cree First Nation, Missanabie Cree First Nation, and Brunswick House First Nation (the Treaty 9 Nations). The litigation challenges the Government of Ontario’s failure to uphold the Crown’s obligations...
April 12, 2023
Trudeau says premiers’ claims about natural resources power grab have ‘no grounding in truth’
Premiers criticized justice minister for saying Ottawa will look at resource agreement CBC News: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing the premiers of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba of misinterpreting remarks by a federal minister on whether Ottawa might review agreements that give those provinces control of natural resources. “Let me be very clear. The minister of...
April 11, 2023
Western premiers blast Lametti for suggesting Ottawa might ‘look at’ provinces’ power over natural resources
Lametti told an AFN meeting he would examine calls to rescind Natural Resources Transfer Act CBC News: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and three western premiers are calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to disassociate his government from comments made by his justice minister — who promised last week to “look at” a decades-old law that...
April 8, 2023
Canada is sitting on a critical minerals motherlode. But is it ready for the new gold rush?
Proponents say Canada must do more to turn aspiration into action CBC News: Drive two hours north of Ottawa, put on a hard hat and bright orange vest, descend into a pit — and you find yourself on the frontline in the fight to be part of the new, green economy. A mining project might not...
April 3, 2023
Matawa Chiefs Council issue formal Response to Ontario Government’s Proposed Bill 71 – Building more Mines Act
Ontario prepares itself to Boom on Mining and Critical Minerals while minimizing Environmental Oversight and Avoiding Crown Responsibilities to First Nations across the North NationTalk: MATAWA TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES AND HOMELANDS: As the Matawa member First Nations have taken time to review and consider the impacts of Ontario’s Bill 71 – Building More Mines Act introduced...
March 29, 2023
First Nations protesting Ontario’s accelerated mining development plans
The Globe and Mail: Five First Nations communities are planning to stare down Doug Ford in the Ontario Legislature Wednesday, alleging that the Premier is railroading through mining development without their consent. Leaders of Neskantaga, KI, Grassy Narrows, Wapekeka and Muskrat Dam First Nations said in a statement they are converging on Queen’s Park with...
March 14, 2023
Billions have been made on Robinson Huron Treaty lands. First Nations could finally get a fair share
For 173 years, Canada has failed to truly share profits from nickel, copper, uranium, lumber and fish. Now, courts will weigh in on fair payback for First Nations in northeastern Ontario The Narwhal: In northeastern Ontario, a treaty dispute over 170 years in the making might finally be coming to a close. A legal trust...
March 2, 2023
Doug Ford government wants to speed up mining permits in Ontario
Changes to Mining Act aim to boost production of critical minerals, essential for EV batteries CBC News: Premier Doug Ford’s government will propose on Thursday changes to the laws governing approval of mining projects to boost Ontario’s production of minerals essential to electric vehicle batteries and other technologies, CBC News has learned. The changes would speed up permits...
February 7, 2023
First Nations owed over $100B under 1850 Ontario treaty: Nobel-winning economist – National Post
Joseph Stiglitz is testifying in a Sudbury, Ont., courtroom why First Nations may have been short-changed under a revenue-sharing treaty signed in 1850 NationTalk: National Post – He is a Nobel prize winner, former vice president of the World Bank and one of the globe’s most famous economists. And this week Joseph Stiglitz is testifying...
February 1, 2023
Grassy Narrows hosts Historic Alliance to protect lands and waters from mining exploration companies enabled by Ford Government’s pro-industry stance
We are proud to share with you that yesterday leadership from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI, or Big Trout Lake First Nation), Wapekeka, Neskantaga, and Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows) met in Grassy Narrows to sign a Mutual Cooperation Agreement. The four strong First Nations are forming an alliance to protect their lands and waters in the face...
November 23, 2022
Chiefs of Ontario and First Nations Oppose Bill 23: More Homes Built Faster Act
NationTalk: The Chiefs of Ontario express their full support for First Nations Leadership in their opposition to Bill 23: More Homes Built Faster Act due to its clear violation of First Nations constitutionally protected, inherent and Treaty rights and its inevitable adverse environmental impacts on First Nations ancestral and traditional territories. “The Government of Ontario’s...
November 17, 2022
Matawa chiefs push back against U.S. military agenda in the Ring of Fire
First Nation leaders demand a big say over any industrial development on their James Bay homelands First Peoples Law Report: Northern Ontario Business Staff Nov 17, 2022 1:00 PM Toronto media reports about talks between the U.S. military, mining interests and government about funding development in the Ring of Fire has angered Indigenous communities in Ontario’s...
November 8, 2022
Robinson-Huron Treaty annuities case: Ontario seeks stay – lawyer
Robinson-Huron Treaty Litigation Fund says Ontario has asked for a stay in final stage of court case while it appeals previous court decision on treaty annuity payments Sootoday.com: The third and final stage of an ongoing court case over treaty annuity payments launched by signatories to the Robinson-Huron Treaty is slated to begin early in...
June 23, 2022
Robinson-Huron Superior treaty annuity payments appeal heading to Supreme Court
Supreme Court to hear Ontario case on treaty payments to Anishinaabe APTN: The Supreme Court of Canada says it will hear a legal battle over Crown payments to beneficiaries of two Robinson treaties which cover the upper Great Lakes in Ontario and 21 Anishinaabe bands. The Ontario government sought to challenge a ruling by the...
June 13, 2022
Matawa Chiefs’ Council work towards solidifying approach to Ring Of Fire Regional Environment Assessment
NationTalk: TORONTO, ON: Chiefs of the Matawa First Nations of Northern Ontario announced today they are working towards solidifying a regional approach to the federal Impact Assessment (IA) in the Ring of Fire. This announcement was made during the Matawa Chiefs Council’s participation in the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s 2022 convention which was...
April 20, 2022
Robinson-Huron and Superior Treaties, 1850
NationTalk: Robinson Huron Treaty Territory — The Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF) leadership, Ontario and Canada officials have established a negotiation table to find common ground for resolving the annuities litigation outside of court. The Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations have outstanding litigation against both Canada and Ontario relating to treaty annuities. There is...
February 23, 2022
Matawa Chiefs Council Opposition to the Regional Assessment for the Ring of Fire
Feb. 23, 2022: The Matawa Chiefs Council and Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM) – representing (9) member First Nations call on Canada to begin the collaboration, negotiations and investment process – in partnership with Matawa member First Nations – to maximize the benefits of the development of the north. The land Ontario refers to as the Far...
January 7, 2022
Robinson-Huron and Superior Treaties, 1850
CBC – Ontario will appeal the Robinson Huron Treaty Annuity Case to the Supreme Court. The case was upheld by both the Ontario Superior Court and then the Ontario Court of Appeal. The 21 First Nations involved said that amount needs to be re-negotiated, and the courts have agreed....
November 5, 2021
Robinson-Huron and Superior Treaties, 1850
The Manitoulin Expositor – The Ontario Court of Appeal releases judgment on Ontario’s Stage 1 and 2 in Robinson–Huron Treaty Annuities Case that affirms much of the trial decision and only disagrees with the trial judgment on a limited number of issues. As we explain, we unanimously reject the majority of the arguments raised on...
August 16, 2021
Robinson-Huron and Superior Treaties, 1850
Wawa News – The Government of Canada has completed their mandating process and are prepared to negotiate and settle the ongoing annuities case. Canada has stated that the negotiation and settlement process requires participation from the Government of Ontario. “Now, we need the province to come to the table to make this settlement happen,” said...
April 28, 2021
Robinson-Huron and Superior Treaties, 1850
Wawa News – the Ontario Court of Appeal concluded its hearing of the Government of Ontario’s appeal of the Stage 1 decision in the Robinson Treaties annuities case. The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the Stage 1 appeal, which it will likely release in the months following its hearing of the Stage...
March 16, 2021
Batchewana First Nation exercises treaty rights for logging
Sault Online – Open Letter from Batchewana First Nation – outlining numerous grievances with the government of Ontario for their ongoing failure to uphold the “honour of the crown” by continuing intrusions of our inherent sovereignty and unextinguished jurisdictions over the lands in Eastern Lake Superior and the lands in direct proximity. In direct response...
January 14, 2021
Bill 197 (COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2019) violates Treaty Rights
NationTalk – Following the declaration of a second state of emergency on Jan. 12, 2021 due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Matawa Chiefs Council are issuing a public statement that the Matawa Chiefs Council reject the Ontario government-imposed deadline of Thursday January 14, 2021 for comments related to Ontario’s proposed revisions of the Far North...
September 7, 2020
Bill 197 (COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2019) violates Treaty Rights
Law Times – Environmental groups and First Nations are challenging the Ontario Government’s changes to environmental legislation contained in Bill 197 The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act. The amendments are a violation of s. 35 of the Charter, which recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and Treaty rights....
August 28, 2020
Bill 197 (COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2019) violates Treaty Rights
The Matawa Chiefs Council – who represent 9 First Nations, issued this statement today rejecting the Ontario Crown’s tactics to unlawfully access the wealth of the north. The Ontario government has used the cover of COVID-19 to make legislative, regulatory and policy changes that attempt to diminish the obligations of Ontario to honour the constitutionally-protected Inherent...
August 10, 2020
Bill 197 (COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2019) violates Treaty Rights
The Timmins Daily Press – Mushkegowuk Council is calling on the province to honour the treaty it signed 115 years ago. Treaty 9 was signed between First Nations leaders and Canadian political figures to establish guidelines around resources and projects on First Nations land. Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon called Bill 197 a “major step back”...
July 24, 2020
Bill 197 (COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2019) violates Treaty Rights
NationTalk – Bill 197 (COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2019), an omnibus bill introduced on July 8 and passed just 13 days later on July 23 with little legislative debate and no Standing Committee consideration, and without public consultation on the changes to the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) despite warnings from Ontario’s Auditor General that this...
July 8, 2020
Robinson-Huron and Superior Treaties, 1850
Manitoulin Expositor – Since the Ontario Government launched their appeal of the Dec. 24, 2018 decision, the Superior Court has sided with the Anishinabek Nation in two of three challenges: Phase 1: Established that the original treaty created a ‘sui generis fiduciary relationship’ (meaning the colonial government was required to manage the lands and act...
January 22, 2019
Robinson-Huron and Superior Treaties, 1850
The Government of Ontario appealed the Robinson-Huron and Robinson Superior Treaties Superior Court decision around Annuities claims while at the same time negotiating with the 21 First Nations making up the Anishinabek people in northern Ontario. In her December ruling, Justice Patricia Hennessy wrote the annuities described in the treaties — which hadn’t been raised...
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