Latest news with #economicDevelopment
National Post
19 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
Doug Ford apologizes to Ontario First Nations for his 'passionate' comments
OTTAWA — Ontario Premier Doug Ford has apologized to Ontario First Nations for saying they cannot 'keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government' for more money. Article content On Thursday, Ford met with chiefs who are part of Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 First Nations in the province. Before the meeting started, he issued an apology to them and repeated his apology in public during a press conference after the meeting. Article content Article content Article content '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,' he said. Article content Article content Linda Debassige, Grand Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, said the chiefs in the meeting felt that Ford's apology was 'sincere.' Article content 'We are looking at today as a new day going forward,' she said. Article content Ford has said the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario will be declared the first such zone. While First Nations have said they want to be part of economic development, they are outraged by the government's decision to proceed with legislation before consulting them. Article content Ford dismissed those concerns during an unrelated press conference. Article content 'This is like handing an opportunity on a silver platter to First Nations that, by the way, I have treated like gold,' he said. 'But 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.' Article content Article content Ford continued: '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.' Article content Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak urged Ford to withdraw his remarks in a letter sent Thursday, saying that his words 'only serve to perpetuate racist stereotypes and are not acceptable in any way or circumstance.' Article content 'I want prosperity for their communities. I want prosperity for their children,' he said. Article content 'As I said before, I'll always respect treaty rights, and I'll always respect the duty to consult, because without First Nations, we can't get the critical minerals out of the ground. We can't have the energy that we need, that the whole world wants,' he said.
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Doug Ford says he treats First Nations 'like gold' but they 'keep coming hat in hand'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is willing to give First Nations what they want for their support in developing mines, but they cannot "keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government" for more money. Ford is set to meet Thursday with several dozen chiefs who are part of Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 First Nations in the province. First Nations are livid with the province over the passage of Bill 5, which gives cabinet the power to suspend municipal and provincial laws for chosen projects through the creation of so-called special economic zones. The designation of these zones is part of a new omnibus law that Ford's government says is designed to speed up the construction of large infrastructure projects, particularly mines. Ford has said the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario will be declared the first such zone. First Nations have said they want to be part of economic development, but they are outraged by the government's decision to proceed with legislation before consulting them. Premier has said rights to be respected Ford has repeatedly said that First Nation treaty rights will be respected and the government will fulfil its duty to consul them through a series of meetings this summer. "This is like handing an opportunity on a silver platter to First Nations that, by the way, I have treated like gold," Ford said Wednesday at an unrelated news conference. As proof of his government's good will, Ford pointed to the province's $3 billion Indigenous financing program for loan guarantees to allow First Nations to become owners in big infrastructure projects, as well as $70 million to train Indigenous workers for jobs in construction, development and mining. "When I first came into office, I told Minister (Greg) Rickford, 'Treat them well, give them what they need, whatever they want for them to prosper.' But 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," Ford said. "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." Ford's remarks called 'deeply offensive and racist' Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat who represents the Ring of Fire region and the lone First Nation member of the Ontario legislature, called out Ford's remarks. "The premier's remarks today were deeply offensive and racist," he said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "Today's remarks prove that the premier has a fundamental lack of understanding of Ontario's treaty relationship with First Nations." Mamakwa urged Ford to repeal the bill, which was only passed into law two weeks ago. "He is trying to create divisions in our province and is taking us back," Mamakwa said. "This premier has made it clear that he won't bring people together, uphold the honour of the Crown and obtain free, prior, and informed consent." Ford's office issued a statement later on Wednesday saying the premier "looks forward" to his discussions with First Nations. "The premier expressed his desire to work with First Nations leaders to achieve self determination and economic reconciliation for their communities," spokesperson Grace Lee said. "He looks forward to moving these discussions forward tomorrow."
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Ontario First Nations 'keep coming hat in hand' despite being treated 'like gold,' Doug Ford says
TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is willing to give First Nations what they want for their support in developing mines, but they cannot 'keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government' for more money. Article content Ford is set to meet Thursday with several dozen chiefs who are part of Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 First Nations in the province. Article content Article content First Nations are livid with the province over the passage of Bill 5, which gives cabinet the power to suspend municipal and provincial laws for chosen projects through the creation of so-called special economic zones. Article content Article content The designation of these zones is part of a new omnibus law that Ford's government says is designed to speed up the construction of large infrastructure projects, particularly mines. Article content Article content First Nations have said they want to be part of economic development, but they are outraged by the government's decision to proceed with legislation before consulting them. Article content Ford has repeatedly said that First Nation treaty rights will be respected and the government will fulfil its duty to consult them through a series of meetings this summer. Article content 'This is like handing an opportunity on a silver platter to First Nations that, by the way, I have treated like gold,' Ford said Wednesday at an unrelated news conference. Article content As proof of his government's good will, Ford pointed to the province's $3 billion Indigenous financing program for loan guarantees to allow First Nations to become owners in big infrastructure projects, as well as $70 million to train Indigenous workers for jobs in construction, development and mining. Article content Article content 'When I first came into office, I told Minister (Greg) Rickford, 'Treat them well, give them what they need, whatever they want for them to prosper.' But 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,' Ford said. Article content Article content '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.' Article content Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat who represents the Ring of Fire region and the lone First Nation member of the Ontario legislature, called out Ford's remarks.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Musandam Governorate holds meeting to boost exports, imports and logistics
Khasab: Sayyid Ibrahim Said Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam chaired a meeting today with government officials, private sector representatives, specialists, and members of the municipal council to discuss ways to enhance export and import activities through the governorate's official ports, particularly Khasab Port, which serves as a vital hub for economic development in the region. The meeting comes as part of broader efforts to maximise the benefits of Musandam's strategic location and logistical potential, supporting economic growth and contributing to the national objectives outlined in Oman Vision 2040. Discussions focused on streamlining the movement of goods, developing infrastructure to strengthen the logistics sector, and exploring mechanisms to boost cross-border trade while increasing local value-added through export promotion and import diversification. The attendees also emphasised the importance of generating direct and indirect employment opportunities for the locals of Musandam through these activities, reinforcing sustainable development in the governorate.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
The Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation signs an agreement with the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, and 10 business councils and associations to expand the services provided through the Hub for Advisory, Finance & Investment for Enterprises platform across governorates
During the activities of the 'Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth&Jobs' conference, organized by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, signed an agreement with the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations (CEEBA), the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce, the Egyptian-African Businessmen's Association, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council, the Swiss-Egyptian Business Association, the British Egyptian Business Association, the Egyptian Businessmen's Association, the Egyptian Junior Business Association, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt. The agreement aims to enhance the benefit of private sector companies across Egyptian governorates whether large, small, medium, micro-enterprises, or startups from the financial and non-financial services and the direct and indirect mechanisms available through the 'Hafiz' platform for financial and technical support to the private sector, through the Federation of Industries, business associations, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, and their branches in the various governorates. Commenting on the agreement, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the agreement comes within the framework of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation's keenness as the entity responsible for setting and following up on the implementation of Egypt's sustainable economic development strategies and ensuring alignment with 'Egypt Vision 2030' to promote inclusive development by encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors and activating the role of the "Private Sector Participation Unit" in integrating the efforts of the private sector within the state's development priorities, especially in improving the business environment, supporting SMEs, and enhancing sectoral integration. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat explained that through these agreements, the Ministry is working to maximize the private sector's benefit from the Hub for Advisory, Finance&Investment for Enterprises, by facilitating the access of companies that are members of the chambers to the platform and taking full advantage of the available services and financing opportunities, furthermore holding a series of meetings organized by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, through the private sector participation unit with international development partners, to promote ongoing dialogue and communication with the business community and relevant stakeholders. The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation launched the Hub as one of the innovative mechanisms to advance the agenda of private sector empowerment by easing access to development financing and technical services. The platform was designed as an integrated digital portal that connects development partners, implementing agencies, government entities, and the business community of all categories including large corporations, SMEs, micro enterprises, and startups. The platform was developed as a strategic tool within the Ministry's efforts to enhance economic diplomacy and mobilize finance for sustainable development. Through the Hub for Advisory, Finance&Investment for Enterprises, more than 90 financial and technical support services are made available by 44 bilateral and multilateral development partners. The platform has made notable progress, with the number of services increasing from 62 at its launch in December 2023 to over 90 today, and has attracted nearly 18,000 users from the private sector and entrepreneurial community. The platform's database includes over 700 companies that have benefited from support services, and more than 1,000 tenders and development initiatives funded by development partners in Egypt and more than 80 other countries providing tangible opportunities for expansion and access to regional and international markets. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.
