‘Diplomacy ends today': First Nations warn of protests over Ontario mining law
Protesters and community members chant and wave signs, as they listen to speakers during a demonstration opposing Bill 5, outside the Ontario legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto, Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government has given itself the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects in areas it deems to have economic importance, citing the need to speed up development of mines, but First Nations warn confrontation is brewing.
Known as Bill 5, the legislation sparked a firestorm of anger among First Nations communities, who say it tramples their rights and ignores their concerns. It may have passed in the legislature Wednesday, but Indigenous leaders say the fight is just beginning.
'Our diplomacy ends today,' said NDP deputy leader Sol Mamakwa, who represents the northern Ontario riding of Kiiwetinoong that is home to many First Nations and the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region.
'You cannot trample on the rights of the people that live on these homelands and get away with it.'
Ford has said the bill is needed to speed up large projects, particularly mines, in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Jeers from dozens of First Nations members echoed in the legislature as the bill was passed into law. Ford was not there for the final vote.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler called the premier a 'coward.'
'This fight is not over, but we will meet you on the ground,' Fiddler said. 'He did not even have the guts to show up for the vote.'
Ford was on a call with a Republican congressman during the vote, his office said.
Lake Huron Regional Chief Scott McLeod said that shows where the premier's priorities lie.
'His priorities are not with the Indigenous people in this province,' he said. 'They're with business people, and he wants the resources that are in our territories. He's selling our minerals and our resources to Americans, to the world, without our permission and that is what we're not going to stand for.'
The government had tried to amend the bill to explicitly include duty to consult provisions, but delay tactics at the committee stage by the Liberals meant that the Progressive Conservatives passed the legislation without that.
Ford said earlier in the day that they would consult with First Nations over the summer, but that may now be in question.
From now on, Fiddler said, Nishnawbe Aski Nation will not take him or his government seriously, nor will they engage with Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. Fiddler called for his resignation.
'He is supposed to be representing Indigenous affairs for our nation, but he failed at every turn, and we will not work with him,' Fiddler said. 'We will not engage with him at all moving forward.'
The legislation will create so-called 'special economic zones,' where the province could suspend laws in order to speed up projects such as mines, and the government has said the Ring of Fire would be the first such zone.
Chris Moonias, the former chief of Neskantaga First Nation, suggested action will begin by preventing mining companies and others' access to their lands.
'We're going to shut down the Ring of Fire,' he said. 'Whatever that means, whatever we can do, we're going to shut it down. I promise you that.'
Earlier in the day, Ford said blockades wouldn't be 'very wise.'
'You can't break the law,' Ford said. 'Simple as that. ... They need to move on or they'll be dealt with appropriately.'
When asked to clarify his comments, Ford said he doesn't direct the police and any enforcement would be up to the Ontario Provincial Police or local police services.
The premier wouldn't say if he would use the notwithstanding clause to save Bill 5 if it ends up being challenged and found unconstitutional in court. But he said that he would 'cross that bridge' when he comes to it.
Civil liberty groups are livid at the prospect of effectively lawless zones, and unions have warned that labour laws would be under threat.
The measure is part of an omnibus bill that makes a slew of other changes, including stripping protections for endangered and threatened species. Environmental groups and the Toronto Zoo have warned this will lead to extinctions.
Farmers, who largely support the Progressive Conservative government, have also spoken out against the bill. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture said the broad powers 'could override vital protections for farmland and agricultural systems.'
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
Liam Casey and Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
22 minutes ago
- CTV News
Chrystia Freeland slams BC Ferries' decision to build ships in China
Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Controversy over BC Ferries' decision to award a contract to a Chinese state-owned shipyard to build four new vessels has reached Ottawa. Federal Transportation Minister Chrystia Freeland had some strong words for her B.C. counterpart Mike Farnworth in a letter dated June 16 and obtained by CTV News Friday. Read more: Eby won't stop BC Ferries from building new ships in China, but says it's 'not ideal' 'It is with great consternation and disappointment that I learned of BC Ferries' recent announcement it has selected China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards,' the letter begins. Freeland pointed out China's tariffs on Canadian agriculture products—which include a 100 per cent levy on canola oil, meal and peas and 25 per cent on fish and pork—calling them unjustified. She also highlighted concerns regarding threats to cybersecurity from the country. 'I am dismayed that BC Ferries would select a Chinese state-owned shipyard to build new ferries in the current geopolitical context,' she wrote. Read more: BC Ferries union upset Chinese company was hired to build new vessels She asked to be informed of what measures BC Ferries is taking to address potential security threats. 'I would like your assurance that BC Ferries conducted a robust risk assessment, and I expect them to engage with the relevant provincial and federal security agencies and departments to mitigate any security risk,' the letter reads. When BC Ferries announced the deal on June 10, it said it would have its own team of experts on site during construction 'to provide oversight and quality assurance.' Read more: Business leader says BC Ferries' hiring of Chinese shipyard is 'informed decision' 'We are confident that CMI Weihai will be able to meet our high expectations for safety and quality, while delivering tremendous value for our customers and on-time delivery of the four vessels,' the company said in a statement at the time. Notably, no Canadian companies placed a bid on the project. When BC Ferries opened its call for proposals last September, major B.C. shipbuilder Seaspan said in a statement it would not be able to compete with countries that pay workers less and have lower environmental and safety standards. 'Given the value of the contract and the level of taxpayer funding that has been provided to support BC Ferries' operations, I am surprised that BC Ferries does not appear to have been mandated to require an appropriate level of Canadian content in the procurement or the involvement of the Canadian marine industry,' Freeland wrote. Read more: Minister flags concern over BC Ferries' deal with Chinese state-owned shipyard She listed some of the funding the federal government has given the province and BC Ferries over the years, including $308 million during the COVID-19 pandemic—and asked Farnworth to 'verify and confirm with utmost certainty that no federal funding will be diverted to support the acquisition of these new ferries.' B.C. leaders, namely Farnworth and Premier David Eby, have—using much softer language—expressed disapproval of BC Ferries' decision, but said they won't step in to kill the contract, despite calls from opposition critics and unions to do so.
CTV News
22 minutes ago
- CTV News
Business groups push back ahead of Vancouver ‘carbon tax' on commercial buildings
Vancouver City Hall is seen in Vancouver, on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Carbon taxes are falling out of style, with the federal and provincial governments recently pulling back. But in Vancouver, stricter emissions rules are coming for commercial buildings starting next year. It's part of the city's efforts to cut carbon pollution in half by 2030. 'What the City of Vancouver is planning to implement here essentially amounts to a second carbon tax being implemented at the municipal level,' Ryan Mitton with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business told CTV News in an interview on Friday. 'And what this is going to be a charge of $350 per tonne of CO2 that each building emits over a certain level set by the City of Vancouver.' The new rules take effect in January and include a $500 permit fee. Business groups fear buildings in violation could be hit with fines in the range of $14,000. 'The landlord will then take that invariably and pass that on to the tenants,' Ian Tostenson with the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association told CTV News. While restaurant emissions are exempt according to the city, if a large building is penalized for emitting too much, Tostenson fears landlords will pass that cost on to all tenants in the building, including restaurants. Given the federal and provincial governments recently eliminated carbon taxes, businesses are calling for Vancouver to follow suit and back away from this plan. 'I just really hope that Mayor Ken Sim and council look at this proposal and decide to walk it back,' Mitton said. The city believes 84 per cent of buildings will be in compliance, based on 2024 figures, and says financial penalties only kick in by 2027 – which it says will allow enough time for building owners to prepare for the new regulations. This is a phased program that was initially voted for in 2022, and given how much has changed economically, some of these business groups believe city council would be willing to press pause on this, but there is no formal indication at this point that will happen. The city stresses this plan is about reducing emissions, not about generating revenue, and says based on reporting to date, most large buildings will be in compliance when the rules kick in.
Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Mark Carney promises to consult with Indigenous communities in choosing projects under controversial Bill C-5
OTTAWA — Facing concerns and warnings of Indigenous resistance against a key part of his governing agenda, Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged Friday that 'more fulsome conversations are needed' to choose the development projects his government wants to fast-track through controversial new legislation, Bill C-5. Speaking moments after the bill passed third reading in the House of Commons, Carney pledged to hold meetings in the coming weeks with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders and experts in a series of summits to 'launch the implementation of this legislation in the right way' in 'full partnership' with Indigenous communities.
