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Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Journalism committee seeks public input
The Manitoba government's all-party committee on local journalism is holding public hearings starting in Gimli next week. The committee, chaired by New Democrat MLA Robert Loiselle, will hold public consultations across Manitoba. 'A healthy democracy relies on strong local journalism,' Loiselle said in a government news release Friday. 'Consultations will focus on rural and northern media and cultural media such as French, Filipino, Punjabi and Chinese language publications, with the mandate to explore the future of local journalism.' The all-party committee consists of three other government MLAs — Diljeet Brar, Jennifer Chen and Eric Redhead — and two Progressive Conservative MLAs, Konrad Narth and Greg Nesbitt. The meetings are in: For more information and to register, visit the province's website.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Doug Ford apologizes to First Nations for ‘hat in hand' comments
Premier Doug Ford has apologized to First Nations for comments he made while pushing his controversial Bill 5 that fast-tracks mining approvals. Speaking to reporters at Queen's Park on Thursday after a two-hour meeting with chiefs from the Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 First Nations across Ontario, Ford was contrite. 'I just want to say I sincerely apologize for my words, not only if it hurt all the chiefs in that room, but all First Nations,' the premier said. 'I speak from the heart and sometimes my words don't come out properly, which I think you've all seen over a number of years. I sincerely apologize if that has offended anyone. I've never been too proud to sit back and apologize for something that I've said or if have offended someone,' he said. Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige, who was standing beside Ford as he spoke, accepted his apology. 'Our chiefs felt today that the apology was sincere. We are looking at today as a new day going forward,' said Debassige. 'The premier has corrected himself for the 'hat in hand' comment and has committed to be working with us as a good treaty partner and has owned what he said,' she said, 'and I'm not going to belabour that.' However, Debassige emphasized that while the chiefs appreciated the confab, the Anishinabek Nation still opposes Bill 5, the ' Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act ,' which was passed two weeks ago. 'We remain steadfast in the rights of our nations,' she stressed, noting other matters were discussed behind closed doors. 'It would be disrespectful to our First Nations communities to suggest their only concern is Bill 5 at this time.' The meeting came one day after Ford was accused by New Democrat MPP Sol Mamakwa of making 'racist' remarks about First Nations. On Wednesday in St. Catharines, the premier said 'there's an opportunity of a lifetime for them' if minerals can be extracted more quickly from remote regions. 'We're giving them $3 billion with a B … to be equity partners, to make their communities more prosperous and wealthier and have services they've never had before,' said Ford, noting' there's going to be a point that you can't just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government. 'You've got to be able to take care of yourselves — and when you literally have gold mines, nickel mines, every type of critical mineral that the world wants, and you're saying, 'No, no, I don't want to touch that, by the way, give me money.' Not going to happen. It's simple,' he said. In a letter Thursday to Ford, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak accused the premier of 'pejoratively dismissing' Indigenous rights. 'Your remarks only serve to perpetuate racist stereotypes and are not acceptable in any way or circumstance,' she wrote. For his part, Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) said Thursday 'that's not the way we create relationships with First Nations' and had urged Ford to apologize. 'As First Nations, you know, we are not beggars,' he added. 'That type of thinking is not great … it belongs back in the 1950s.' Ford's mea culpa overshadowed a meeting that had been called as his Progressive Conservatives scrambled to fix Bill 5 in regulation following its speedy passage before the legislature rose for the summer break. Opponents charge the law breaches long-standing First Nation treaty rights as well as waters down environmental protections with of new 'special economic zones' designed to fast track project approvals. Ford's Tories argue the law — similar to the federal Bill C-5 being pushed through by Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals — is needed to get projects approved quickly The premier and prime minister say U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war against Canada means that approvals must be expedited.
Toronto Sun
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Wildfire near two Ontario First Nations 'like a sleeping giant' for now, MPP says
Published Jun 13, 2025 • Last updated 5 minutes ago • 2 minute read Canadian Armed Forces personnel help evacuate residents threatened by wildfires in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories in 2023. Photo by handout/Canadian Armed Forces / AFP via Getty Images A provincial legislator says a massive wildfire that has forced the evacuation of two northern Ontario First Nations is like a 'sleeping giant' at the moment. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat representative for Kiiwetinoong, visited Sandy Lake First Nation on Thursday. Much of the community of 2,000 people has been forced to leave for different parts of Ontario because of the fire known as Red Lake 12. Ontario officials say the fire is more than 160,000 hectares in size and not under control. The same fire earlier forced the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation, though fire rangers have now successfully created a fire break around the perimeter of the community. Mamakwa says about 200 people remain in Sandy Lake First Nation, along with the fire rangers. 'It's pretty much like a sleeping giant, the officials told me,' Mamakwa said. Fire rangers and community members are busy working around the clock to protect buildings, he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They are setting up sprinkler systems around many buildings, including the community centre, as well as around large fuel tanks. 'This fire is just massive,' Mamakwa said after flying over it when he arrived Thursday around noon. There wasn't much smoke near the community when he landed, but by the time he left around 6 p.m., smoke began billowing again. Mamakwa has been asking several levels of government for years to invest in bigger and better runways in remote First Nations. The military flew in with massive CC-130 Hercules planes to help with the evacuation at Sandy Lake, but the aircraft 'could not take the full capacity because the airstrip is too small,' he said. Despite that, the 'organized chaos' of getting nearly 2,000 people out of the community was successful, he said. Wildfires have been raging across northern parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Webequie First Nation east of Sandy Lake has also been evacuated due to a different fire that is about 11,000 hectares in size and is not under control. More than 10,000 people in Saskatchewan and 21,000 in Manitoba have been forced out of their communities because of the fires. World Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Canada Music
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Wildfire near two Ontario First Nations ‘like a sleeping giant' for now, MPP says
A provincial legislator says a massive wildfire that has forced the evacuation of two northern Ontario First Nations is like a 'sleeping giant' at the moment. Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat representative for Kiiwetinoong, visited Sandy Lake First Nation on Thursday. Much of the community of 2,000 people has been forced to leave for different parts of Ontario because of the fire known as Red Lake 12. Ontario officials say the fire is more than 160,000 hectares in size and not under control. The same fire earlier forced the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation, though fire rangers have now successfully created a fire break around the perimeter of the community. Mamakwa says about 200 people remain in Sandy Lake First Nation, along with the fire rangers. 'It's pretty much like a sleeping giant, the officials told me,' Mamakwa said. Fire rangers and community members are busy working around the clock to protect buildings, he said. They are setting up sprinkler systems around many buildings, including the community centre, as well as around large fuel tanks. 'This fire is just massive,' Mamakwa said after flying over it when he arrived Thursday around noon. There wasn't much smoke near the community when he landed, but by the time he left around 6 p.m., smoke began billowing again. Mamakwa has been asking several levels of government for years to invest in bigger and better runways in remote First Nations. The military flew in with massive CC-130 Hercules planes to help with the evacuation at Sandy Lake, but the aircraft 'could not take the full capacity because the airstrip is too small,' he said. Despite that, the 'organized chaos' of getting nearly 2,000 people out of the community was successful, he said. Wildfires have been raging across northern parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Webequie First Nation east of Sandy Lake has also been evacuated due to a different fire that is about 11,000 hectares in size and is not under control. More than 10,000 people in Saskatchewan and 21,000 in Manitoba have been forced out of their communities because of the fires. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Wildfire near two Ontario First Nations ‘like a sleeping giant' for now, MPP says
A provincial legislator says a massive wildfire that has forced the evacuation of two northern Ontario First Nations is like a 'sleeping giant' at the moment. Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat representative for Kiiwetinoong, visited Sandy Lake First Nation on Thursday. Much of the community of 2,000 people has been forced to leave for different parts of Ontario because of the fire known as Red Lake 12. Ontario officials say the fire is more than 160,000 hectares in size and not under control. The same fire earlier forced the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation, though fire rangers have now successfully created a fire break around the perimeter of the community. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Mamakwa says about 200 people remain in Sandy Lake First Nation, along with the fire rangers. Story continues below advertisement 'It's pretty much like a sleeping giant, the officials told me,' Mamakwa said. Fire rangers and community members are busy working around the clock to protect buildings, he said. They are setting up sprinkler systems around many buildings, including the community centre, as well as around large fuel tanks. 'This fire is just massive,' Mamakwa said after flying over it when he arrived Thursday around noon. There wasn't much smoke near the community when he landed, but by the time he left around 6 p.m., smoke began billowing again. Mamakwa has been asking several levels of government for years to invest in bigger and better runways in remote First Nations. The military flew in with massive CC-130 Hercules planes to help with the evacuation at Sandy Lake, but the aircraft 'could not take the full capacity because the airstrip is too small,' he said. Despite that, the 'organized chaos' of getting nearly 2,000 people out of the community was successful, he said. Wildfires have been raging across northern parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Webequie First Nation east of Sandy Lake has also been evacuated due to a different fire that is about 11,000 hectares in size and is not under control. Story continues below advertisement More than 10,000 people in Saskatchewan and 21,000 in Manitoba have been forced out of their communities because of the fires.
