Latest news with #Attawapiskat
CBC
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
9 First Nations ask court to strike down federal, Ontario bills allowing infrastructure fast-tracking
Social Sharing Nine First Nations in Ontario are seeking a court-ordered injunction that would prevent the federal and provincial governments from using newly passed laws to fast-track infrastructure projects. The constitutional challenge states provincial Bill 5 and federal Bill C-5 "both represent a clear and present danger" to the First Nations, which include Attawapiskat, Fort Albany and Apitipi. The First Nations argue both pieces of legislation authorize "the Crown to unilaterally ram through projects without meaningful or any engagement with First Nations" and "violate the constitutional obligation of the Crown to advance ... reconciliation." The claim calls the promises of consultation with Indigenous communities a "smoke and mirrors trick" and says the "authorized exclusions" of First Nations contained in the legislation are "unconstitutional." "It is like a law that authorizes what should in fact be prohibited, such as authorizing commercial airline pilots to fly drunk, without knowing the flight path, and without having to engage with air traffic control," the claim reads. "Both governments have tried to soften the effects of their laws by effectively saying to First Nations, 'Don't worry, we'll speak to you.' This is hollow. The content of the laws authorizes the opposite." Bill C-5 allows the federal cabinet to quickly approve big projects deemed to be in the national interest. They include mines, ports and pipelines. Ontario's bill allows its cabinet to suspend provincial and municipal laws in "special economic zones." The First Nations are asking court to strike down the laws, require the federal and provincial governments to make a series of declarations about how they were passed without respect to First Nations or the constitution, and pay $100 million in damages to the communities. "Sort of a penalty, if you will, on the Crown for failure to act honourably," senior counsel Kate Kempton, who is representing the First Nations in the legal challenge, said in an interview with CBC. "And so, we simply applied precedent. There's no magic in the dollar amount. It's a substantial amount because the breach in this case is substantial ...." WATCH | Ontario passes controversial mining law: Ontario passes Bill 5 despite opposition from First Nations, environmental groups 1 month ago Kempton said while these laws are "supposed to be addressing the manoeuvring of the Trump administration" (a reference to the U.S. president's tariffs), they will instead turn Canada into "a nation prepared to 'build, baby build' or 'drill, baby drill,' despite the pretty horrific consequences in this case if these bills are allowed to go ahead unchecked." The federal and Ontario governments have 30 days to comment on the claim in court. CBC asked the office of Premier Doug Ford about the legal challenge and was provided with the following statement: "We will continue to build consensus with First Nations on shared priorities including legacy infrastructure, all-season roads and resource development that support long-term prosperity. "We have begun productive conversations with First Nations who share our vision of unlocking economic opportunity and critical infrastructure in their community, and will continue these consultations throughout the summer. These consultations will shape the regulations and criteria for new special economic zones and Indigenous-led economic zones."
CTV News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
CTV National News: Attawapiskat family protests in ring of fire, more First Nations may join
Watch CTV's Kamil Karamali reports on an Attawapiskat family's journey to Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire to protest new legislation, with others expected to follow.
CTV News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
CTV National News: Attawapiskat family protests in ring of fire, more First Nations may join
Watch CTV's Kamil Karamali reports on an Attawapiskat family's journey to Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire to protest new legislation, with others expected to follow.
Canada News.Net
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Two First Nations Setting Up Encampment Near Proposed Bridge to Ring of Fire
A political decision one thousand kilometres from Jeronimo Kataquapit's home in a remote First Nation near James Bay set the course for his summer. Now, the 20-year-old from Attawapiskat First Nation, his father, mother and older brother are headed upriver in two 24-foot freighter canoes on a 400-kilometre journey to "reassert First Nations' presence" near the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario, reports The Canadian Press. The family hopes to make it to their final stop, near a proposed bridge over the Attawapiskat River, by Saturday. There, they will meet a contingent from Neskantaga First Nation as the two communities unite to build a quasi-permanent encampment-and make a political statement. "This is our home. This is our own territory, not just Attawapiskat's, but every nation in the area," Kataquapit said in a recent phone interview with The Canadian Press, speaking from under a tarp in his canoe as his father navigated small rapids. They brought more than 200 litres of gasoline to run the 25-horsepower motors on their canoes. A generator also powers their Starlink kit that gives them access to high-speed internet from anywhere in order to document their travels on social media and stay connected to the outside world. The family left Attawapiskat on June 16 for the journey Kataquapit has dubbed "Here We Stand," which he said is a call to action to First Nations to show the federal and provincial governments they want to be consulted before any further development and mining in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire. The idea crystallized for Kataquapit in late May when Ottawa introduced Bill C-5, which Prime Minister Mark Carney's government said is designed to speed up major projects deemed to be in the "national interest." That bill, which was fast-tracked through the House of Commons and passed in the Senate on Thursday, came on the heels of the similar Bill 5 that was rammed through the provincial legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto. View our latest digests A part of that legislation gives Ontario's cabinet the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws in so-called special economic zones in order to speed up projects such as mines. Premier Doug Ford has said the Ring of Fire would be the first such zone. Both pieces of legislation prompted outrage and protests at Queen's Park and Parliament Hill by First Nations who say the bills trample their rights and ignore their concerns. First Nations across the country, particularly those in northern Ontario, have warned they could turn to blockading roads, railways and mines if the legislation is not repealed. "There's no way the governments can amend those bills,"Kataquapit said. "Get rid of it, then maybe we can discuss other things." Neskantaga First Nation members have already flown to the Ring of Fire encampment site to prepare it and they plan to head back there this week to meet Kataquapit and his family, said Chief Gary Quisess. About a dozen Neskantaga community members made their way by boat plane to the proposed river crossing, built a dock and are ready to dig in for the long haul. "It's going to be a little, small community," Quisess said. "Our message is simple: no one will cross the Attawapiskat River without our free, prior and informed consent." Neskantaga wants the governments to help its community first before agreeing on any development deal. Its nursing station flooded two months ago and remains boarded up, Quisess said. The First Nation also holds a notorious record - it has been living under a boil-water advisory for 30 years. "We live in a third world," he said. The province has proposed three roads that would connect the provincial highway system to two First Nations, Webequie and Marten Falls, as well as the mining exploration site known as Eagle's Nest inside the Ring of Fire. That proposed mine is owned by Wyloo, an Australian company. Two environmental assessments have been completed and a third one is underway for those roads. The completed reports have said the roads will take four to six years to build. Two bridge crossings of the Attawapiskat River have also been proposed. Both Neskantaga and Attawapiskat First Nations reside on the Attawapiskat River some 450 kilometres apart and they revere the waters that have provided life and sustenance for generations. They plan to live off the river and the land once entrenched near the Ring of Fire. "The river is a very sacred area, many of our ancestors are buried along the shoreline, where they lived before," Quisess said. The Canadian Press asked Ford on Thursday how he planned to get consent from First Nations on his plans to mine the Ring of Fire. He said he plans to head north some time this summer after getting an invitation from several First Nations. "Nothing's better than sitting down, maybe fishing and breaking bread, and seeing exactly how I can support them, how the province can support them so their communities can thrive and prosper and grow," Ford said. In the days before his family embarked on their journey, Kataquapit held lengthy meetings with leadership to inform the rest of the community about the provincial and federal legislation. They also made several dozen Attawapiskat First Nation flags and family flags. Those flags are painted with handprints, signatures and messages like "Kill Bill 5." Kataquapit has been planting them on the shore along the river route. Some days, his family travels nine hours and up to 60 kilometres. Other days are slower and shorter, with the canoes moving between four and seven kilometres per hour, he said. "Around this time the river really starts to dry up, so it's really shallow in some parts, so we have to get off the boat and put on our long boots and drag the boats," he said. "It's just slow and steady travel. It's been long, it's been tough, but we are going to get there to stand with Neskantaga for all First Nations." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘This is our home': Two First Nations setting up encampment near proposed bridge to Ring of Fire
Jeronimo Kataquapit, right, and his father James A. Kataquapit, from Attawapiskat First Nation, are shown on the Attawapiskat River in this recent handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Jeronimo Kataquapit (Mandatory Credit) A political decision one thousand kilometres from Jeronimo Kataquapit's home in a remote First Nation near James Bay set the course for his summer. Now, the 20-year-old from Attawapiskat First Nation, his father, mother and older brother are headed upriver in two 24-foot freighter canoes on a 400-kilometre journey to 'reassert First Nations' presence' near the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario. The family hopes to make it to their final stop, near a proposed bridge over the Attawapiskat River, by Saturday. There, they will meet a contingent from Neskantaga First Nation as the two communities unite to build a quasi-permanent encampment — and make a political statement. 'This is our home. This is our own territory, not just Attawapiskat's, but every nation in the area,' Kataquapit said in a recent phone interview with The Canadian Press, speaking from under a tarp in his canoe as his father navigated small rapids. They brought more than 200 litres of gasoline to run the 25-horsepower motors on their canoes. A generator also powers their Starlink kit that gives them access to high-speed internet from anywhere in order to document their travels on social media and stay connected to the outside world. The family left Attawapiskat on June 16 for the journey Kataquapit has dubbed 'Here We Stand,' which he said is a call to action to First Nations to show the federal and provincial governments they want to be consulted before any further development and mining in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire. The idea crystallized for Kataquapit in late May when Ottawa introduced Bill C-5, which Prime Minister Mark Carney's government said is designed to speed up major projects deemed to be in the 'national interest.' That bill, which was fast-tracked through the House of Commons and is now before the Senate, came on the heels of the similar Bill 5 that was rammed through the provincial legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto. A part of that legislation gives Ontario's cabinet the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws in so-called special economic zones in order to speed up projects such as mines. Premier Doug Ford has said the Ring of Fire would be the first such zone. Both pieces of legislation prompted outrage and protests at Queen's Park and Parliament Hill by First Nations who say the bills trample their rights and ignore their concerns. First Nations across the country, particularly those in northern Ontario, have warned they could turn to blockading roads, railways and mines if the legislation is not repealed. 'There's no way the governments can amend those bills,' Kataquapit said. 'Get rid of it, then maybe we can discuss other things.' Neskantaga First Nation members have already flown to the Ring of Fire encampment site to prepare it and they plan to head back there this week to meet Kataquapit and his family, said Chief Gary Quisess. About a dozen Neskantaga community members made their way by boat plane to the proposed river crossing, built a dock and are ready to dig in for the long haul. 'It's going to be a little, small community,' Quisess said. 'Our message is simple: no one will cross the Attawapiskat River without our free, prior and informed consent.' Neskantaga wants the governments to help its community first before agreeing on any development deal. Its nursing station flooded two months ago and remains boarded up, Quisess said. The First Nation also holds a notorious record — it has been living under a boil-water advisory for 30 years. 'We live in a third world,' he said. The province has proposed three roads that would connect the provincial highway system to two First Nations, Webequie and Marten Falls, as well as the mining exploration site known as Eagle's Nest inside the Ring of Fire. That proposed mine is owned by Wyloo, an Australian company. Two environmental assessments have been completed and a third one is underway for those roads. The completed reports have said the roads will take four to six years to build. Two bridge crossings of the Attawapiskat River have also been proposed. Both Neskantaga and Attawapiskat First Nations reside on the Attawapiskat River some 450 kilometres apart and they revere the waters that have provided life and sustenance for generations. They plan to live off the river and the land once entrenched near the Ring of Fire. 'The river is a very sacred area, many of our ancestors are buried along the shoreline, where they lived before,' Quisess said. In the days before his family's departure, Kataquapit held lengthy meetings with leadership to inform the rest of the community about the provincial and federal legislation. They also made several dozen Attawapiskat First Nation flags and family flags. Those flags are painted with handprints, signatures and messages like 'Kill Bill 5.' Kataquapit has been planting them on the shore along the river route. Some days, his family travels nine hours and up to 60 kilometres. Other days are slower and shorter, with the canoes moving between four and seven kilometres per hour, he said. 'Around this time the river really starts to dry up, so it's really shallow in some parts, so we have to get off the boat and put on our long boots and drag the boats,' he said. 'It's just slow and steady travel. It's been long, it's been tough, but we are going to get there to stand with Neskantaga for all First Nations.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025. Liam Casey, The Canadian Press
