Northern Ontario’s large city mayors will conditionally support the Ford government’s controversial Bill 5 provided that Ontario honours and respects Indigenous treaties.
"We had assurances from the premier directly that those treaty rights would be upheld,” said North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico.
Chirico was part of the Northern Ontario’s Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) delegation, involving the mayors of Sault Ste. Marie, Greater Sudbury, Timmins and Thunder Bay, who attended a meeting with Ford and cabinet at Queen’s Park on May 26.
At the same time, contentious hearings involving Indigenous groups raged on earlier this week at the provincial committee level over Bill 5, also known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act.
Chirico said given that this is a pivotal time for Ontario due to the haywire trade relationship with the U.S., the mayors wanted to impress upon the premier that Northern Ontario has plenty to offer when it comes to advancing the discussion of eliminating interprovincial trade barriers and transitioning Canada’s economy toward self sufficiency.
“Any time that there is chaos, there’s always opportunities and we feel that Northern Ontario is key to those opportunities when you take a look at our resources, our critical minerals, and how we do things in Canada.”
Chirico said the mayors requested - and received – an hour and half of face time with Ford, who was accompanied by ten cabinet members, including Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli, Northern Economic Development and Growth Minister George Pirie, and some Northern conservative MPPs.
The discussion covered a range of issues, including protection of Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie against U.S.-imposed tariffs, investments in apprenticeship and skilled trades training programs, more immigration to fill gaps in the regional workforce, provincial support for critical minerals processing, and investments to upgrade ports and rail systems to be ready for when mining begins in the Ring of Fire.
“I really think we are on the cusp of some really great things for Northern Ontario,” said Chirico.
In the course of that 90-minute discussion, Bill 5 entered the conversation, said Chirico.
“We actually asked (Ford): What do you need from us?
“And he said very directly: We need support for Bill 5.
“We asked him directly: Will you honour the treaties? And he said, emphatically, yes.
Bill 5 follows the Ford government’s mandate of its One Project, One Process review policy that expedites the construction of mining and infrastructure projects in Ontario by dramatically cutting government permitting timelines, while respecting the duty to consult with First Nations.
Many First Nation leaders fear this bill will strip away their ability to negotiate and maintain the right to govern their traditional lands. Instead, the government has signalled its in favour of amending the bill, given the backlash from Indigenous groups.
Whether Bill 5 needs to be withdrawn or amended, Chirico said it’s not his call to make.
“Our biggest concern as Northern Ontario mayors is that some of these developments, because of the regulations both federally and provincially, are taking 15 to 17 years to bring to (fruition). How can you plan for that?
“We are definitely in favour of one process-one review to speed these (projects) up
"But we are also very, very strong in our support of our Indigenous partners, that those treaty rights are upheld, and quite frankly they are enshrined.”
Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff said he takes the premier at his word.
“He has not done anything to us in Thunder Bay that would me think otherwise.”
Boshcoff knew Bill 5 would be problematic for many. That's why his colleagues emphasized respect and understanding for Indigenous treaties in return for their support.
An environmentalist at heart, Boshcoff said he acknowledges the sensitivities to habitat that development can bring, but he doesn’t view Bill 5 as clearing the way for unfettered activity on the land.
“I don’t see it as all bulldozers and a full-speed-ahead type of thing. If I thought there was a hint of that implied in this (bill) I don’t think any of the mayors would support it.”
Boshcoff said there must be better communication by all parties.
“We have to have open consultation (with First Nations), make it fair, and then we won’t deal with things later on.”
For his city and its growth prospects, Thunder Bay offers a jumping off point to access natural resources in northwestern Ontario, buttressed by a Great Lakes port that is a gateway to opportunity in the region and Western Canada.
However, the city is also a significant administrative hub for some prominent First Nation authorities. Boshcoff said he’s hopeful there will not be any negative reaction against NOLUM by Indigenous leaders.
The protection of treaty rights was a predominant factor in the mayors’ support of Bill 5, he said.
“We have confidence that the fact that everyone’s going to benefit is a large part of that decision. Consultation is fundamental.
“I see good things from this (bill) and that’s why we want to support the province. It can only help everybody.”
