Current Problems:
Exploring Theme: "Legislative and Institutional Barriers"
Updates on this page: 43
February 29, 2024
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Calls for Continued Support for B.C. Land Act Amendments
NationTalk: Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, expressed disappointment and concern, following the British Columbia (B.C.) government’s decision to pause the proposed amendments to the B.C. Land Act. “I am disappointed by the B.C. government’s decision to pause the proposed amendments to the B.C. Land...
February 22, 2024
NDP Hits Brakes on Land Act Reconciliation Plan
Opposition forces government to relaunch consultations; Cullen blames misinformation. The Tyee: Facing public backlash encouraged by opposition parties, the B.C. government has cancelled planned changes to the Land Act, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen said Wednesday. While the government said the changes were necessary to allow it to enter into land-use...
February 15, 2024
B.C. resets talks on plan to give First Nations more say over public land
The Globe and Mail: The British Columbia government is conducting an intensive series of meetings with industry and outdoor recreation groups this month, in an attempt to assuage concerns about its proposed changes to the law that governs Crown land. The province plans to amend the Land Act in the spring legislative session to pave...
February 14, 2024
Is BC ‘Returning All Traditional Lands’ to First Nations?
Plans to bring the Land Act into line with DRIPA have caused a furor. An explainer. The Tyee: Anyone reading about proposed amendments to B.C.’s Land Act might believe there are major changes afoot. Private property is at risk. Outdoor recreation is threatened. Water access, mining, forestry and agriculture all now hang in the balance as the...
January 8, 2024
Survey: Over Half of Indigenous Canadians Polled have Experienced Workplace Discrimination
62.4% HAVE EXPERIENCED BIAS WHEN APPLYING FOR JOBS NationTalk: TORONTO – ComIT.org, a registered charity that believes the democratization of education and opportunity is Canada’s best path forward, recently uncovered several startling statistics in a survey to 500 Canadians who identify as Indigenous Canadians. ComIT.org created the survey to take a pulse check of current...
December 19, 2023
Alberta Ethics Commissioner says rules followed in rescinding Deena Hinshaw’s job offer
The Globe and Mail: The Alberta Ethics Commissioner has determined that the province’s health authority followed the proper process when it revoked its job offer to Deena Hinshaw, the former chief medical officer of health. Marguerite Trussler, in a letter dated Dec. 18, said she stopped her investigation into the role played by John Cowell,...
December 10, 2023
Ottawa eyes change to border rules for Indigenous communities. ‘It is an injustice that continues to divide our people’
Indigenous people are hopeful that changes will respect their rights to move freely on traditional lands that cross international borders. Toronto Star: The territory where Tim Argetsinger’s ancestors once moved freely and hunted in the Arctic spanned 2.5 million square kilometres of land — about a quarter of the size of Canada. Today, that same...
November 15, 2023
Proof Point: Closing Canada’s infrastructure gap could boost Indigenous output by up to 17%
NationTalk: RBC Proof Point Stubborn employment gap between Indigenous & non-Indigenous population persists Unemployment rate, %, prime age population; off-reserve Source: Statistics Canada, RBC Economics Canada’s Indigenous populations grapple with a huge infrastructure gap It is well-known that Canada is one of the most educated countries in the world, with the second highest share of...
November 2, 2023
Protecting Human Rights Defenders Globally: Does Canada Mean Business?
NationTalk: Slaw – Businesses are deeply implicated in abuses of human rights defenders worldwide. In 2021 more than “a quarter of lethal attacks were linked to resource exploitation,” according to Global Witness. Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately attacked. Over 40 percent of fatal attacks targeted Indigenous people who make up only 5 percent of the world’s population....
October 30, 2023
Proposed legislation to amend the Indian Act continues discrimination it’s designed to end, say MPs
“The Liberals’ interpretation of Nicholas v. Canada is about status. Bill C-38 must not just be about status. It must be about addressing discrimination and violations of basic human rights.” — Nunavut MP Lori Idlout Nunavut MP Lori Idlout (NDP) and Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin (Liberal). Windspeaker.com: Bill C-38, containing the latest amendments to the Indian...
October 27, 2023
Southern Chiefs Pass Resolutions Supporting the Wellness of SCO Citizens at Latest Summit
NationTalk:ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) hosted a Chiefs-in-Summit earlier this week. Highlights included the passing of key resolutions that will positively impact the overall wellness of the citizens of SCO Nations, along with a special honouring ceremony for Premier Wab Kinew. “At the start of this Summit, I expressed...
October 24, 2023
Trudeau Weighs Limits on Oil and Gas in Indigenous Resource Loan Plan
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , Photographer: Andrej Ivanov/Bloomberg NationTalk: BNN Bloomberg (Bloomberg) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet are planning a multibillion-dollar loan program to help Indigenous groups in Canada buy equity in resource projects. But the government is still debating whether to include the oil and gas sector within it. The...
October 13, 2023
CSIS warning Inuit leaders about covert foreign investment in Arctic, documents show
Inuit leader calling on spy agency to share more information with region’s leaders CBC Indigenous: The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has warned Inuit leaders that foreign adversaries could gain a foothold in Canada by offering to fill infrastructure gaps in the North. But Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) — the nonprofit organization that represents more...
October 5, 2023
Province failing its Indigenous population, report says
Only a fraction of Viens Commission recommendations in place: ombudsman Toronto Star: The Quebec government has failed to implement most of the recommendations in a landmark report that found Indigenous people suffered systemic discrimination when accessing public services, the province’s ombudsman said Wednesday. Quebec has fully implemented just 11 of the 142 recommendations made in...
September 30, 2023
Is corporate sector listening to Indigenous business leaders?
Toronto Star: Businesses aren’t exempt from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to address the ongoing, centuries-long oppression of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The 94 calls to action cover everything from the constant removal of Indigenous children to non-Indigenous households, medical racism and the multi-generational damage done to survivors of the Canadian government’s genocidal residential...
September 30, 2023
Ottawa needs to step up to make Indigenous economic reconciliation a reality
There’s a consensus among Indigenous investors, corporate leaders and government decision makers that federal loan guarantees are the answer to First Nation investment difficulties, writes Heather Scoffield. Toronto Star: Fred Di Blasio is a walking, talking embodiment of where economic reconciliation is at right now. He is an Indigenous investment banker armed with lots of...
September 29, 2023
Immigration minister says he wants to make it easier for Indigenous people to cross borders
Ottawa considering amendments to immigration law, ministerial directive CBC News: Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he wants to make it easier for Indigenous people to cross the international borders that have divided their homelands and families for generations. In an interview with CBC News, Miller said Canada should recognize Indigenous people have an inherent right to move...
August 1, 2023
Iqaluit Workers In The Midst Of One Of Canada’s Longest Strikes
Members of the Nunavut Employees Union have been on strike for 135 days, following months of employer resistance and bad faith. UPDATE: Late on July 31, the Nunavut Employees Union and the employer reached a tentative agreement, potentially ending this prolonged strike. Details of the proposed contact have not been made public. The contract will...
June 26, 2023
Majority of Manitobans want National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to be stat holiday, poll suggests
Governing PCs have said there is no consensus to declare new holiday in province CBC News: Three-quarters of Manitobans are in favour of making Sept. 30 — National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — a statutory holiday in Manitoba, a new Probe Research poll commissioned by the Winnipeg Free Press suggests. Orange Shirt Day, as...
June 20, 2023
Deputy minister left government weeks after Indigenous group privately called for his resignation, documents show
The Globe and Mail: A deputy minister’s recent departure from the federal public service occurred just weeks after a national Indigenous organization privately called for his resignation over an e-mail dismissing their description of colonialism as “a gross misreading of history.” Timothy Sargent’s nearly three-decade career in the federal public service – which included representing...
June 15, 2023
Senate committee urges Cannabis Act overhaul to address exclusion of First Nations
Committee chair says situation ‘yet another example of how Indigenous Peoples are being let down by Canada’ CBC News: The federal health minister should amend the 2018 Cannabis Act to recognize First Nations’ right to govern the possession, sale and distribution of cannabis on their lands, a Senate committee says. In a report tabled Wednesday...
June 8, 2023
John Ivison: The case for backing Indigenous loans
Canada will not achieve Indigenous reconciliation or reach net zero carbon emissions without Indigenous equity participation NationTalk: National Post – OTTAWA — Canada was formed by glacial erosion and federal government policy moves at much the same pace. Consider a hypothetical critical minerals project on First Nations land in Canada. If an Indigenous proponent signed...
March 22, 2023
B.C. First Nations file court case against federal decision not to renew salmon farm licences
The lawsuit says the federal government failed to respect Indigenous rights to self-determination CBC News: Two B.C. First Nations and a British Columbia salmon farmer company are going to court to challenge the federal government’s decision not to renew the licences for its open-net farms off Vancouver Island. The We Wai Kai Nation (Cape Mudge Indian...
March 18, 2023
Indigenous groups signal upcoming legal battle over Sask. First Act
FSIN vows to mount legal challenge to Sask. First Act CBC News: The Saskatchewan First Act was borne out of meetings and consultations, but its a lack of consultation with Indigenous communities that has the act destined for a courtroom. On Thursday, Saskatchewan Party government members voted unanimously to pass the act, known as Bill 88....
March 16, 2023
Sask. First Act passes in front of gallery full of First Nations and Métis people opposed to bill
Indigenous leaders say Bill 88 infringes on treaty rights CBC News: Saskatchewan’s governing party voted unanimously to pass the Saskatchewan First Act on Thursday in front of a gallery full of First Nations and Métis community members who travelled to the legislature in opposition of the bill. Last fall, the government introduced Bill 88, saying it would...
February 3, 2023
Opinion: How to stop the Indigenous brain drain
The Calgary Herald: The term “brain drain” refers to the effects of government policies, taxes or world events that cause highly skilled workers to leave their homes (cities, provinces or countries) and relocate elsewhere in search of work. While this global phenomenon is well studied and understood, it is also appropriate to apply this term...
October 31, 2022
Canada’s attempts to change the Indian Act without adequate consultation must stop!
NationTalk: On October 21, 2022, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (Assembly) was made aware that the Government of Canada is intending to make changes to the Indian Act. This information was brought to their attention by a third-party, not by the Department of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). The Assembly is frustrated and angered,...
October 18, 2022
AFNQL: First Nations Do Not Want A Superminister of The Economy
NationTalk: Wendake, October 18, 2022 – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) does not look favorably on the possibility of Premier François Legault appointing Pierre Fitzgibbon to the head of a superministry of the Economy when creating his new cabinet. “This would be very bad news for First Nations, who have nothing to gain...
October 14, 2022
AMC calls out Manitoba over Meagre Indigenous Economic Development Fund for the Interlake Outlet Channel Project
NationTalk: Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) issued the following statement in response to an inadequate Indigenous Economic Development Fund announced by the Province for 39 communities affected by flooding in and around Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin. The AMC stands with the First Nations leaders from the Interlake...
August 11, 2022
Inuit Organizations Challenge Nunavut’s Move to Transfer Mining Companies’ Property Tax Liabilities to Inuit
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) and the Regional Inuit Associations (collectively with NTI, the “Inuit Organizations”) filed a lawsuit on August 10, 2022 challenging the Government of Nunavut’s move to transfer mining companies’ property tax liabilities to Inuit. On May 27, 2022, the Government of Nunavut brought into force Bill 55 – An Act...
May 11, 2022
Alberta Court of Appeal finds federal Impact Assessment Act unconstitutional
NationTalk: The Indian Resource Council – IRC, an organization representing over 130 First Nations who produce or have direct interest in the oil and gas industry, was gratified by the opinion handed down by the Alberta Court of Appeal determining that the federal Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional. The Indian Resource Council was an intervenor...
September 17, 2021
Making Inuit liable for mining company debts
With the passage of “Bill 55 – An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act”, the Government of Nunavut and the Members of the Legislative Assembly have transferred the burden of paying millions of dollars in property taxes each year from mining companies to Inuit, and make Inuit guarantors for mining companies’ tax...
April 9, 2021
DFO support of fish farms vs support for wild salmon
Canada’s National Observer – On Monday, Federal Court Justice Peter George Pamel said Mowi Canada West and Saltstream would suffer substantial harm if they couldn’t transfer juvenile fish into three farm sites in the area. But Homalco Chief Darren Blaney said the companies’ win comes at the expense of wild salmon and all the First...
January 22, 2021
DFO support of fish farms vs support for wild salmon
The First Nations Leadership Council – FNLC denounces the decision of Mowi Canada West Inc, Cermaq Canada Ltd and Grieg Seafood BC Ltd to apply to the federal court for an injunction to overturn the Discovery Islands Decision. Overturning the decision would be counter to the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights...
December 17, 2020
DFO support of fish farms vs support for wild salmon
The Tyee – Acting on the wishes of seven First Nations in the Discovery Islands DFO Minister Bernadette Jordan has not renewed fish farm licenses in the Discovery Islands but ordered the phase out of all 19 Atlantic salmon feedlots owned by Norwegian-based companies. That means juvenile salmon will not have run through a gauntlet...
December 3, 2020
DFO support of fish farms vs support for wild salmon
First Nations Leadership Council – FNLC Nations involved in the Discovery Island consultation on fish farms are seeking to save wild salmon, and support a shift to land-based aquaculture, and an immediate stop to fish farms in the Discovery Islands. In light of the historic low returns of Pacific wild salmon this year, the First...
October 21, 2020
DFO support of fish farms vs support for wild salmon
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs – UBCIC is demanding transparency and accountability from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) regarding their continued jeopardization of wild salmon stocks. Following the DFO’s recent announcement that open-net pen farms in BC’s Discovery Islands pose a minimal risk to wild salmon, Dr. Kristi Miller-Saunders, head of the...
October 20, 2020
Barriers to Indigenous business
Canadian Association of Aboriginal Business (CCAB) – Released the findings of its latest report, “Promise and Prosperity: The 2020 Ontario Aboriginal Business Survey” provide a longitudinal analysis of Indigenous business successes and challenges, while diving deeper into a crucial topic in today’s economy – improving access and participation for Indigenous businesses within government supply chains…only...
November 14, 2019
Opposition to Bill 132 “Better for people, Smarter for business Act, 2019”
First Nation leaders from across Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) have strongly opposed Bill 132 “Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019”, as it seriously undermines the mining industry obligation to consult with First Nation communities. They have also rejected the disrespectful approach of this government of burying issues fundamental to First Nations in omnibus...
October 1, 2019
Increase Indigenous business procurement spending
The “Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB)” has accounted for an average of less than 1% (0.32%) of total annual federal procurement spending since 1996. Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business released “Industry and Inclusion: An Analysis of Indigenous Potential in Federal Supply Chains” calling on the federal government to increase the dollar value of its...
May 1, 2019
Lack of access to capital for Indigenous business
“Evening the Odds: Giving Indigenous ventures access to the full financial toolkit” Restricted access to capital impedes indigenous entrepreneurs from developing business opportunities. Some First Nations have unlocked greater economic development on reserve lands by opting out of the Indian Act system of lands management in favour of the First Nations Land Management Act. Those...
November 15, 2018
Closing Child and Youth Advocate Office
Letter from the Provincial Advocate for Children. Mar. 13, 2019 Progressive Conservative government announced as part of its Fall Economic Outlook that they would be repealing the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act, 2007, and transferring investigation authority into child welfare services, residential care (including youth justice) and children’s secure treatment to the Ombudsman’s...
April 20, 2018
AFN-QL Opposition to Bill 99
Assembly of First Nations Québec-Labrador – In response to the decision of the Quebec Superior Court to uphold the Act respecting the exercise of the fundamental rights and prerogatives of the Québec people and the Québec State (Bill 99), the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) totally rejects the very foundations of the Quebec provincial...