Latest news with #RebeccaAlty
Cision Canada
14 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Minister Chartrand announces investment in events that help Yellowknife small businesses build capacity Français
CanNor funding of up to $150,000 for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce supports two capacity building events for small businesses. YELLOWKNIFE, NT, July 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Small businesses are at the heart of Northern communities and have a deep understanding of local needs and resources, enabling them to offer authentic products and services to both residents and visitors. Today, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced an investment of up to $150,000 to the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. Delivered through CanNor, this funding will support two annual capacity building events for Yellowknife's business community over three years. This includes a Small Business Week each fall and a Trailblazers Symposium coinciding with International Women's Day. Vibrant small businesses enrich the lives of Northerners and contribute to a strong, united Canadian economy by keeping economic benefits within the territories. Supporting projects like this aligns with CanNor's commitment to help create dynamic economies that support prosperity an elevate Canada's North. Quotes "To build a strong Canadian economy, we need small businesses to keep innovating, not only for their local communities but for national and international markets. Our new government is supporting initiatives that strengthen small business capacity so they can continue to drive growth in our economy." - The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor "Projects like this help entrepreneurs build capacity, find local solutions, and grow with confidence. In turn, this strengthens our local economy and helps us all choose Canada." - The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "We're grateful for CanNor's continued investment in our events, which serve as platforms for delivering capacity-building support to our local business community. With a focus on training, leadership development, and strengthening connections, our sessions are designed to meet the needs of our members. This year's programming is shaped by feedback collected through membership surveys over the past several years, ensuring we reflect the priorities of the business community we serve." - Tracy Peters, Manager of Member Relations & Program Coordinator, Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Quick facts CanNor is investing $150,000 through the IDEANorth program. IDEANorth makes foundational investments in economic infrastructure, sector development and capacity building to help position Northerners to take advantage of Canada's innovation economy. Total project costs are $225,000, including an investment of $52,500 from the Government of the Northwest Territories, with remaining costs covered by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. Associated links Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Stay connected: Follow CanNor on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Flying Dust First Nation and Canada reach settlement agreement Français
FLYING DUST FIRST NATION, TREATY 6 TERRITORY, SK, July 25, 2025 /CNW/ - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Flying Dust First Nation Today, Chief Tyson Bear of Flying Dust First Nation and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced a settlement agreement to resolve a land-related claim between Canada and the First Nation. Canada will provide more than $55 million in compensation to the Flying Dust First Nation for the improper transfer of 214.81 acres of treaty land in 1932 to the Canadian Pacific Railway which denied the First Nation its use for generations. Since then, about 200.8 acres have been returned, including two pieces of land held by Canada for a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment. The RCMP and the First Nation signed a lease, and on November 7, 2024, the land was formally transferred back to reserve status. The remaining land, once owned by the railway company, was remediated through cooperation between Canada, the Canadian National Railway (successor to the Canadian Pacific Railway) and the community. As part of the agreement, the First Nation may also add nearly 14 acres to its reserve through Canada's Additions to Reserve process. The Flying Dust First Nation has always recognized the Railway lands as reserve land. The story of how it it was expropriated in the early 1930s is part of the oral history of leadership. The story of the land has been passed down the years to ensure the people didn't forget. From Chief to Chief, from Council to Council, the Flying Dust First Nation always committed to have the railway lands returned home. A plan was made in 1992 when Chief Richard Gladue placed a caveat on the lands and launched the lawsuit. In the 30 years that followed, every Chief and Council joined the team and pushed the file forward. The most recent leadership team, Chief Tyson Bear, Council Calvin Bear, Marie Gladue, Nick Derocher, Charmaine Mirasty, were the ones who got to see the claim to its fruition. The vision of reacquiring the Railway Lands has always been seen as a certainty. As such, plans for development of the property has been ongoing for almost 20 years. Flying Dust has always had a vision of what the land could be and what it would mean for the people of Flying Dust, Meadow Lake and the surrounding communities. Settlements like this provide funding that First Nations can use to buy land and create new opportunities for their communities and economies. Settling specific claims is one way Canada is working to rebuild trust and strengthen its relationships with First Nations. By providing fair compensation when promises haven't been kept, Canada is taking responsibility for the past and working toward a more respectful future. These efforts are guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Quotes "This settlement is a step toward reconciliation. A good example of Canada righting the wrongs made so many years ago, proving that this government is moving in the right direction in true Nation to Nation relationship building. The Railway Claim settlement opens the doors for Flying Dust and paves the way for economic prosperity and ensures the financial well-being of Flying Dust and generations to come." Tyson Bear Chief of Flying Dust First Nation "In order to build a better, more equitable future, we need to work together. The resolution of this claim marks a meaningful step forward in Canada's relationship with the people of Flying Dust First Nation. This long-overdue compensation recognizes past wrongs and supports the Nation's efforts to create lasting opportunities for future generations." The Honourable Rebecca Alty Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "This long overdue settlement is about respect, recognition, and reconciliation, and about building a renewed partnership between Flying Dust First Nation and Canada. Flying Dust First Nation never stopped fighting to see this land returned, and I want to congratulate Chief Tyson Bear and his community for their perseverance and leadership in addressing this historic wrong." Buckley Belanger Secretary of State (Rural Development) Quick facts Flying Dust First Nation is a Cree reserve located in northwestern Saskatchewan, located adjacent to the city of Meadow Lake. With 2674 members (646 living on-reserve and 2028 living off-reserve) the community has developed a reputation as a strong, progressive community. Flying Dust First Nation adhered to Treaty 6, which was signed by Crown representatives and Cree, Assiniboine, and Ojibwe leaders on August 23, 1876 at Fort Carleton, Saskatchewan, and on September 9, 1876 at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. The Treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day Albert and Saskatchewan. Railway construction began in 1930. The line was fully operational by 1932. Over time, the railway lands included a passenger station, up to eight grain elevators, two fuel depots, a stockyard, creamery, fish plant and planer mill. In the 1970s, CPR started to sell some of the commercial lots. In 1978, Canada purchased two of the lots to build an RCMP detachment. CN purchased the remaining lots in 2006. By 2009, all railway operations had stopped. The tracks were removed in 2014. Starting in 2011, Canada began working with Flying Dust and CN to remediate the land so that it could be transferred back to reserve status. Specific claims deal with past wrongs against First Nations. These claims (made by First Nations against the Government of Canada) relate to the administration of land and other First Nation assets and to the fulfilment of historic treaties and other agreements. Claims are addressed through an alternative dispute-resolution process under the Specific Claims Policy, and, since 2009, the Specific Claims Tribunal Act. Over the past five years (April 1, 2020 to May 31, 2025), 229 claims have been resolved for nearly $15.1 billion in compensation. Flying Dust First Nation Specific Claims Stay connected Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada: SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
CBC
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Prime Minister Mark Carney visits his hometown of Fort Smith, N.W.T.
Carney, along with N.W.T. MP and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty and Premier R.J. Simpson, met with local families Wednesday morning in Fort Smith to discuss affordability challenges and food insecurity.
Cision Canada
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T -- Media advisory - Minister Dabrusin, alongside Indigenous leaders, to launch one of the world's largest Indigenous-led land conservation projects in the Northwest Territories/ Français
GATINEAU, QC, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Media representatives are advised that the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, alongside Indigenous leaders, will launch one of the world's largest Indigenous-led land conservations projects in the Northwest Territories. She will be joined by the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; Danny Yakeleya, Chair of the Our Land for the Future Trust; representatives from local Indigenous governments; the Government of Northwest Territories; and philanthropic organizations to celebrate this important milestone to conserve more nature in the Northwest Territories. To be made aware of any changes, media representatives are encouraged to register for this in-person event by contacting Environment and Climate Change Canada's Media Relations at [email protected]. Follow Environment and Climate Change Canada on social media. SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada Contacts: Keean Nembhard, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 343-552-2387, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
First Nations leaders walk out of Mark Carney meeting on Building Canada Act
Several First Nations leaders have walked out of a meeting with Mark Carney , as an event the Canadian prime minister hoped would assuage their concerns over his Building Canada Act instead left many with growing concern that it would violate their rights. Carney has spent recent weeks promoting the act, which passed last month as part of Bill C-5 and which he says is a key part of his campaign promise to ensure Canada's economy is less dependent on the US under Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened huge tariffs. The legislation sets out a framework for major building projects, such as pipelines and mines to exploit natural resources infrastructure including ports, railways and electricity grids. Under the act, certain projects designated as 'nation-building' could be fast-tracked and override environmental and other planning regulations. To qualify, it says the projects should strengthen Canada's autonomy and security, provide economic 'or other' benefits and support the interests of Indigenous peoples, while meeting Canada's objectives to tackle climate change. The government has not yet said which projects will be fast-tracked, but the minister responsible for Indigenous relations, Rebecca Alty, said it would consult provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples to agree those suitable. Earlier this week, however, nine First Nations in Ontario communities launched a constitutional challenge against the federal government over Bill C-5, and against the province over similar legislation recently passed there. They allege that unchecked, fast-tracked development which is not subjected to laws and regulations, and which excludes consultation with First Nations on whose land some of the proposed projects will be built, violates the Canadian constitution, which mandates that Indigenous groups be consulted on any decisions that could affect their treaty rights. At the meeting on Thursday, held at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, Carney promised to hundreds of assembled First Nations delegates that new infrastructure would enrich generations of Indigenous peoples, and that First Nations communities affected by any development would be thoroughly consulted. Some leaders expressed cautious optimism at his remarks, but several others told reporters they were frustrated they did not get time to speak to the prime minister or members of his cabinet ministers, and that they felt they were not being listened to. A delegation of First Nations youth also staged a protest, holding signs with slogans including: 'We won't be silenced'. Several First Nations leaders walked out of the meeting after a few hours, saying it was a crude attempt at public relations designed to mitigate the damage the Liberal government had already done in pushing the law through parliament quickly without first consulting Indigenous groups properly. 'I don't even know what this is, but this is not engagement. This is definitely not consultation. I'm speechless,' the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake grand chief Cody Diabo, who was among the leaders who left, told the Canadian Press. Gwii Lok'im Gibuu (Jesse Stoeppler), deputy chief of Hagwilget Village Council in northern British Columbia, told the CBC: 'I didn't have much faith in the process to begin with, and I'm leaving very concerned.' Carney told leaders at the meeting that he was optimistic about finding consensus, but the negative reception could increase pressure on him to urgently repairs marred relations with First Nations communities, said Bruce McIvor, an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia who specialises in Indigenous law. Otherwise the government could face more legal challenges or wider protests, he said. 'I'm not optimistic based on what this federal government has done to date. It's more rhetoric and damage control than meaningful engagement with Indigenous people,' said McIvor, who is also a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. First Nations communities have argued that consultation cannot be meaningful under legislation that is specifically intended to bypass legal obligations in order to build as fast as possible. McIvor noted, however, that the duty to consult Indigenous peoples has been made clear by Canada's supreme court. 'Unfortunately, now, in a rush, the federal government has decided we will abandon those principles,' he said. 'What's required under Canadian law is for the government to engage early on, take as much time as it needs and, importantly, do not simply make a decision and then say 'trust us'.' Carney has said he will conduct more regional dialogues with First Nations communities this summer. Chief John Powell of the Mamalilikulla First Nation in British Columbia said had spoken to the prime minster for a few minutes at the meeting, and that he had appeared sincere. He said it was hard, however, to believe the government would keep its promises when First Nations peoples were not consulted before the law was passed. 'The fear is they're going to push through projects,' he said. 'After all, we've experienced over 150 years of the government being the people who benefit from all of the extraction of what they call our 'resources' and what we call our 'responsibility'.'
