Mushkegowuk Council’s grand chief is calling on the Ontario government to withdraw its controversial Bill 5.
Grand Chief Leo Friday said recent amendments don’t address the fundamental issue: the province’s failure to recognize the right of First Nations to free, prior and informed consent.
“Adding clarification regarding ‘consultation’ does nothing to address the true issue,” said Friday in a statement on May 29.
“We have seen the Crown dishonour the concept of consultation so that it has become essentially meaningless.”
Bill 5, also known as the Protecting Ontario by Enabling Economic Growth Act, would allow the province to fast-track development by creating “special economic zones” and exempting select projects from environmental laws, municipal bylaws, and consultation requirements with Indigenous communities.
On Thursday the government announced it would consult with "Indigenous partners" over the summer on how to use the regulation-making power granted by the bill to create "Indigenous-led economic zones" in Ontario.
SEE: Bill 5 sparks outrage among Treaty 9 leaders
Friday said that the amendments — introduced by Premier Doug Ford’s government in an attempt to quell growing outrage over the legislation — fall short of respecting the rights and jurisdiction of Indigenous peoples.
“There can be no resource development on Mushkegowuk territory, including in the Ring of Fire, without the full participation and consent of affected Mushkegowuk First Nations,” Friday said.
That position was formalized in a resolution passed at a special assembly of Mushkegowuk chiefs on May 28 in Sault Ste. Marie.
The resolution directs Mushkegowuk Council to demand that Ontario withdraw Bill 5 and that the federal government abandon its own proposed “National Interest” legislation, which similarly aims to fast-track resource development.
The council — representing the First Nations of Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree, Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou and Attawapiskat — said the bills “threaten to undermine the Inherent, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights of the Omushkego.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler has also denounced the amendments, saying the government’s decision to introduce them at the eleventh hour is too little, too late.
“It’s an insult to our leadership for the government to now come back to us with some proposed amendments,” said Fiddler at a press conference.
Fiddler noted that the government has given no details on the Indigenous-led economic zones plan so far.
"We don't even know what that means, and they haven't explained what they mean when they say that," Fiddler said.
“And so it's just, to me, trying to do things on the fly, to try to appease the Indigenous leadership — and it's not working.”
Fiddler warned that the bill could trigger court challenges, renewed protests, and a resurgence of the Idle No More movement. He also voiced concern that the federal Liberal government, if led by Mark Carney, may be preparing similar legislation.
“This is not how you want to start your mandate as prime minister,” Fiddler said.
Moose Cree First Nation also issued a statement rejecting Bill 5 and criticizing the province for abandoning a collaborative approach.
“This legislation will not unleash our economy,” said Chief Peter Wesley.
“It erodes trust between Ontario and Moose Cree First Nation and will only delay planning and development because there is no shortcut around First Nations’ rights.”
Wesley noted that just weeks before the bill was introduced, Moose Cree had been working with Ontario on a co-planning process for potential hydroelectric stations. That collaboration, he said, was abruptly abandoned.
Bill 5 would change how permits and approvals for industrial activities are issued, even allowing harmful activities that impact endangered species to proceed without rigorous oversight.
“Development cannot occur in Moose Cree’s homeland without our consent,” said Wesley.
“Our people are not against development, but any development must be done with our consent and in a manner consistent with the rights, interests and wellbeing of our people.”
For Friday, the message to Queen’s Park is simple.
“The real Treaty 9, as orally agreed to, guaranteed that we as Omushkego would be able to use our homeland as we always have. .. Our ancestors never gave up our authority over our territory,” he said.
With files from The Trillium.
