Latest from National Observer
National Observer
29 minutes ago
- Politics
- National Observer
The climate discussion requires Indigenous leadership — every single day
Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time for people across the country to come together to reflect on and celebrate the unique heritage, traditions and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Today we're reflecting on the importance of Indigenous leadership when it comes to climate policy. That's not always the first thing that comes to mind when people reflect on Indigenous contributions — but it should be. Indigenous people are often at the forefront of climate impacts and leaders in the development of the clean economy. We see this playing out in our current moment: Indigenous communities are grappling with the devastating impacts of wildfires supercharged by climate change and spreading across vast stretches of territory. Concurrently, Indigenous nations are leading the charge to be better prepared for future fires by reviving cultural burning practices that have been a longstanding part of land management. With much of the country seized by how to get major projects off the ground in the wake of trade uncertainty south of the border, Indigenous people continue to remind the country that they are critical partners in any path forward. Indigenous nations have shown the way ahead when it comes to the energy transition, developing renewable energy, battery storage, electricity transmission and mining projects, among many others. Indigenous knowledge systems have sustained communities since time immemorial, embedded in relational and holistic approaches to lands and waters. The reflection of this relationship must extend beyond a single day. It must be engrained in how we think about, develop and deliver climate policy. If you've learned the language of a country you've visited, ask yourself: Have you learned any of the Indigenous languages of the land you live on now? Learning these words can transform how we understand the land, the climate crisis and the cultural survival of those most deeply connected to it. Supporting Indigenous climate leadership requires moving beyond conventional ideas of co-development toward centering Indigenous nationhood. This includes supporting Indigenous land and water governance systems, which would contribute to more equitable and reciprocal policy and decision-making approaches. Indigenous Peoples are often at the forefront of climate impacts and leaders in the development of the clean economy, write Maria Shallard, Shianne McKay and Grace Donnelly Amplifying Indigenous-led climate solutions Five years ago, the Canadian Climate Institute and Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources partnered to create the Indigenous Perspectives Program. This mentorship and case study initiative was designed to amplify Indigenous-led research that identifies successful strategies, highlights systemic barriers and shares lessons learned from Indigenous responses to climate impacts, mitigation efforts and the clean energy transition. Each year, we support the development of case studies with stipends, offering a platform for research led by and for Indigenous people. Case studies are given an opportunity for language translation as a way to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's call to support language and culture, and as a way to respect time-honoured ways of knowing and being. The case study program culminates in a live, virtual roundtable that brings together a national audience of community members, government representatives, industry leaders, academics, and non-profits. The roundtable is a space to elevate Indigenous climate policy recommendations, uphold reciprocity in participant feedback, and spotlight the individuals and organizations enacting change in their communities. The roundtable brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders to listen, learn and collaborate in pursuit of Indigenous-led climate policy. Indigenous governance is power for climate policy This year, as with the previous five years, we heard powerful testimony from Indigenous climate leaders across the country. Their insights highlight both successes and ongoing systemic failures, including the persistent limitations of co-development frameworks that do not fully account for Indigenous governance systems. On the East Coast, we heard about the incredible opportunities Indigenous communities like the North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council have to lead in the clean energy transition through community-owned distributed energy systems. This approach not only cuts emissions, it also supports self-determination and economic independence. In light of the current national conversation around energy corridors, we heard how Indigenous-inclusive transmission projects offer a path to unlocking Canada's remarkable renewable energy potential — a crucial part of building the bigger, cleaner, smarter electricity systems needed to cut emissions and support a cleaner economy. In Cowichan territory, we heard about the opportunities and challenges faced by a commercial fishing business owned and operated by the Cowichan tribes called Quw'utsun Kw'atl'kwa Enterprises, as they work to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, industry practices, and environmental sustainability in adaptive fisheries' management through a holistic lens. In the territory of the Omushkego Cree, also known as the water people, we learned how the Friends of the Attawapiskat River are raising grassroots Indigenous voices to protect the land for future generations in Ontario's Ring of Fire region. These risks, alongside the call to return to Indigenous governance, were themes that were echoed in the stories of the Anishnabe Moose Committee, a grassroots collective from several Anishnabe (Algonquin) communities working directly to protect moose, land, and culture from deforestation, mismanagement and climate impacts. A call to reflect and learn Each of these authors' perspectives adds an important dimension to how we address the challenge of climate change and build a better future together. As we mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, we invite everyone to reflect on the lands they inhabit. Consider the diversity of Indigenous nations, the history of treaties — or their absence — and the deep relationships between people, place and non-human kin. Maria Shallard is the Director, Indigenous Research at the Canadian Climate Institute and lives as a guest on unceded K'ómoks territory. Shianne McKay is a member of the Minegoziibe Anishinaabe, a Senior Project Manager at the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources & representative of Canadian Climate Institute Council of Advisors.
National Observer
11 hours ago
- Health
- National Observer
Cull of BC ostriches paused pending court appeal
The Federal Court of Appeal has granted a stay that pauses the potential cull of nearly 400 ostriches at a B.C. farm. Court records show that a motion to pause plans for the cull, pending an appeal, was granted this afternoon in Ottawa. The owners of Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C., have been fighting an order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to cull their flock after it was hit with an avian flu outbreak last year. Katie Pasitney, whose mother co-owns the farm, thanked supporters in a post on social media, saying the "next phase of the battle" will allow the farm to push forward for change. The plight of the ostriches has brought international attention to the farm, with protesters staying on the property to prevent the cull and activists decrying what they call government overreach. The food inspection agency has said the type of avian flu infection present at the farm is a mutation not seen elsewhere in Canada.
National Observer
12 hours ago
- Politics
- National Observer
Bill C-5 passes the House of Commons vote after accelerated process
The federal government's controversial Bill C-5 is off to the Senate next week for a truncated study. Opposition parties amended the proposed legislation to ensure the government cannot override certain laws (including the Indian Act, Canada Labour Code and Criminal Code) but most environmental law and regulations can still be circumvented if a project is deemed 'in the national interest.' The bill would grant cabinet the power to override laws and regulations to get major projects built. In a marathon committee meeting Wednesday evening, the Bloc Québécois and Conservatives worked together to increase transparency and reporting requirements in the bill and prevent the government from overriding more than a dozen laws. But the government can still override important environmental statutes including the Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, Canadian Navigable Waters Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act and Impact Assessment Act. The same goes for regulations including Wildlife Area Regulations, Marine Mammal Regulations, two migratory birds regulations as well as port and mining effluent regulations. MPs had their last chance to amend the bill Friday afternoon in the House of Commons. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May tried to add the Species at Risk Act to the list of laws cabinet cannot override. The Liberals and Conservatives defeated May's motion, with Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith breaking rank and voting with the Bloc Québécois, Green Party and NDP. Erskine-Smith has been critical of Bill C-5 and previously voted against his own government's order to limit debate on the bill, which would also remove some federal barriers to internal trade. The Liberals and Conservatives voted together not just on the bill itself, but also on a motion to ensure the bill cleared the House of Commons before MPs leave Ottawa for the summer. Parliament will resume sitting in mid-September. MPs ended up voting on the bill in two parts, as originally requested by the Bloc Québécois. NDP MP Jenny Kwan made the request again today, and the Speaker of the House decided to split the bill into two different votes — one on the internal trade components and one on national interest projects — both of which passed. 'This legislation is an abomination' The Bloc Québécois, NDP and Green Party say the major projects bill is undemocratic because of the unprecedented powers it grants cabinet and lack of respect for Indigenous rights. The Chiefs of Ontario and many Indigenous leaders mobilized on Wednesday for a rally on Parliament Hill calling on Carney's government to drop bill C-5 and do it right this time. On June 16, Sen. Paul Prosper said he plans on putting forward an amendment to slow C-5 down if and when it gets to the Senate in 'hopes that more rational minds prevail in terms of consulting with Indigenous groups.' Elizabeth May, in the bill's final moments before the House of Commons, reiterated what many have said since it was introduced: that the speed of the bill and the vagueness of its application means much now rests on what exactly the government decides to do with it. 'There are many great projects … I'd love to see move ahead: east-west-north-south electricity grid, a passenger rail and bus interlinked system,' she said. 'There are many projects in the national interest, but we don't know what they will be and the factors in the bill are not requirements. We could have a great project that we all want to see go ahead — or we could have a nightmare." In the end, May — the sole MP to vote against both parts of the bill — did not mince words. 'This legislation is an abomination and one that will be a stain on the reputation of this government and of our Prime Minister.'
National Observer
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- National Observer
MOVIES: Another big animated film for the summer plus a noxious Toronto mayor, Indigenous culture and more
Toronto is big in the movies that I review today. We recall Rob Ford, the scandal-plagued mayor, roaming the city with a prospective rapper, watching an immigrant family adjust and catch the major movie of the week, which was directed by a Torontonian. Yes, that's a more distant connection, but we also get to British Columbia, Japan and a wedding in Georgia. With these: Elio: 3 stars Trainwreck: 3 Boxcutter: 4 His Father's Song: 3 ½ The Salmon's Call: 4 Super Happy Forever: 3 Bride Hard: 2 ELIO: This one is perfect for a 10-year-old boy in your family (or within yourself) because it's full of wonder, questions about the universe and the urge to find your place within it. It's also a big next-step for Pixar. Can they possibly match their most recent success? Inside Out 2 was the highest-grossing film last year and, until it was topped by a Chinese film, the highest-grossing animated film ever. That's a lot to follow up on and extra daunting because this one is completely original, not a sequel or part of a series, and therefore harder to introduce. No worry. The Pixar name is an attraction itself and the film is glorious in its artwork and very engrossing in its story. Over-stuffed with ideas, though, some copying other space adventures, possibly to reflect the imagination of 11-year-old Elio (Yonas Kibreab). He's fascinated with outer space and imagines what it would be like for him out there. He gets to find out fast. At the space agency compound where (Zoe Saldana) his aunt and caretaker, works, he sends out a radio message asking space aliens to abduct him. He's beamed up to an interplanetary organization called the Communiverse where he's mistakenly thought to be the leader of earth, an impression he doesn't correct. He meets a couple of ambassadors (Jameela Jamil, Matthias Schweighöfer), a friendly slug-like creature with teeth named Glordon (voice of Remy Edgerly) and then its father, a bombastic warlord named Grigon (voice of Brad Garrett) who is trying to take over. Elio offers to help stop him. The story gets a bit complicated around there, involving, among other things, a clone of Elio sent back to earth. But stick with it, the energy and inventiveness will get you through. Note that Domee Shi is a co-writer and co-director. She's from Toronto and now a Pixar regular, having won an Oscar for a short film (Bao (2018) and a nomination for Turning Red (2022). (In theaters) 3 out of 5 TRAINWRECK MAYOR OF MAYHEM: This film looks back but will have you thinking of today as well. The story is about the turbulent reign of Rob Ford as mayor of Toronto back in 2013. He was tainted with scandal, allegations that he smoked crack cocaine (which he virulently denied but later admitted) and more. Loud yelling matches with opponents, attacks on the news media who he called liars but also video of drunkenness at a festival and him being unsteady and swearing at city hall. And all the while, rumors of a video that shows him smoking crack. All that made him a ready target for late-night TV hosts, whose clips are included among many others here. Reporters, ex-aides, even his driver tell his story. Not his brother though. Doug Ford is busy being the premier of Ontario. It's all entertaining to look back on until you think deeper. Ford was a cut-taxes, root-out-the-lefties type. He stirred up followers who come across like early MAGA folks. He railed against the media. Reporter Robyn Doolittle, who did much to investigate and expose him, is a major voice in the film. Ford didn't say "fake news" but is glimpsed in a photo with a man who does. At the same time, he's described as a man who always had time to talk to ordinary people, says his driver. So it's not just a negative picture. Shianne Brown, the director who is from England and originally watched this story from afar, gives some extra shades alongside the chaos. (Netflix, as part of a series on news events that became train wrecks) 3 out of 5 BOXCUTTER: Readers in Toronto will surely enjoy this. So will readers anywhere who are into stories about the struggles to make it in the music business. Principally in an alternate scene, rap in this case. "It's a big aspiration these days," says one character in the film, because of the success that Drake and The Weeknd have had. Rome (played convincingly by Ashton James) wants that too. He's currently working in a warehouse (cutting boxes open) but in his off-times recording in a friend's makeshift studio. All he needs is a chance to be heard. When he hears that a top producer is to hold an event at a club, he knows that's where he has to be. Problem: his laptop gets stolen. It's got his 'tracks' on it, and he needs to let the producer hear them. He starts a frantic search to find them or, as a fall-back, tries to get copies made. The film gradually builds up the pressure on him, starting with the prospect of eviction from his apartment because of gentrification in his Toronto neighborhood. Continuing with his insecurity, which makes finding those 'tracks' all important. Time is running out but a friend (Viphusan Vani) says don't rush it. There are smaller ways to build a career. He can't wait. A young woman (Zoe Lewis) does support his urgent need and has her own artistic quest. She paints murals illegally on construction fences. The film depicts the drive and the ways of artists, which the director, Reza Dahya, seems to know well. He's been a radio host, producer, engineer and artist manager. Toronto music people play small roles and the city itself and its neighborhoods feel alive in his film. (In theaters) 4 out of 5 HIS FATHER'S SON: Toronto is big in this film also, but quite differently. It's an immigrant view that we get. In part, there's the common story line: adjusting to the new society and listening to contradictory ideas from dad. There's more, though, and that makes this film fresh. The family is from Iran. Dad (Gus Tayari) works in a clothing store and Mitra Lohrasb plays his wife. Their son Amir (Alireza Shojaei) is a culinary instructor in a French restaurant, which makes dad wonder why he's not working with Persian food. 'I thought you wanted more than just OK,' he says. Initially, that's about it for a generational conflict because an intriguing problem arises and takes over. An uncle has died and left a large inheritance to a second brother. It's Iranian tradition, the dad says, to name only one to inherit, but it is really for both boys and, in fact, the whole family. Not so fast. We eventually learn there's a lot more to it than that. The film slowly tightens up the story line after what seems to be a fairly standard immigrant story with a familiar message. 'Mix what you do with where you're from,' says one character. The first son figures out the answer to a misunderstanding from the past (rather too quickly I'd say) and argues with dad. 'I'm not like you,' he says. 'I don't quit.' Writer/director Meelad Moaphi is an immigrant from Iran himself, now living in Toronto, and his film feels authentic. (In theaters: Toronto now, Vancouver next week, other cities later) 3 ½ out of 5 THE SALMON'S CALL: We hear it often said that salmon is an intricate part of the life of Indigenous people on the West Coast, throughout all of British Columbia, in fact. This documentary shows what that means, exactly and splendidly. It features beautiful imagery, and the Indigenous people interviewed articulate the profound significance behind the images. 'Salmon is my life,' at least one person says. It's more than just a food source; it's key to the culture, and the perseverance with which the salmon fight their way back from the ocean to where they were originally spawned parallels the people's efforts to re-connect with their culture. Stirring words well backed by elders, chiefs and activists in this film by Joy Haskell. She's from the Dakelh First Nation, better known as the Carrier people in central B.C. One fisherman cites the respect the people show the salmon. The first one they catch is always eaten right away or given away. That's to honor them and recognize how important they have been to Indigenous people forever. Several women talk about the methods they learned from their grandmothers for preparing and cooking them, or preserving them by drying them. Children eat dry salmon as if it is candy. Getting back to the old ways helps people to re-connect. Fish farms are a menace and, as a chief from Campbell River points out, the fish are 'no longer plentiful.' It's a good overview of the resource, the people who depend on it and the key role the salmon play not just for people, but also bears, whales, plant life, even trees. The film is a call to keep alive that knowledge and to take inspiration because, as one observer says, 'They fight so hard to be here.' (Available across Canada via streaming--and later broadcast-- from BC's Knowledge Network) 4 out of 5 SUPER HAPPY FOREVER: It's like an antidote to the overly noisy films that always come along in the summer. This one from Japan is delicate and quietly moving with touches of nostalgia, in the sense that the main character is trying to return to a happier time. That would be before his wife died. He returns to the resort where he met her five years before and searches for one symbol of that happier time: a red cap that he misplaced back then. Naturally, the hotel can't find it in its lost and found, not so many years later. But revisiting the resort may help him overcome his grief. He is Sano (played by Hiroki Sano). Yoshinori Miyata plays Miyata, the pal who came along with him and, in an extended flashback, Nairu Yamamoto plays Nagi, the woman he met there so long before, married and lost. He admits there were problems; that she had accused him of being distant and cowardly. No elaboration on that because the film concentrates on thinking back and hoping that reliving what he recalls about their first days together will overcome his grief. Bobby Darin's version of Beyond The Sea ('We'll kiss just as before') compliments the emotions the film is stirring up. Very well as a matter of fact, under the direction of Kohei Igarashi, who with this his fourth film is getting known in film festival circles. The title refers to the name of a new-age therapy group. Sano and pal meet two women from there but don't pick up any message from them, except possibly: cherish your memories. (In theaters, various dates: Montreal and Halifax already, Vancouver today, Charlottetown in two weeks) 3 out of 5 BRIDE HARD: Haven't we seen this story before? Yes, only three years ago in Shotgun Wedding. In both films, criminals hijack an opulent wedding celebration and get pay-back from some of the guests. Here, Rebel Wilson is the main resistor when mercenaries led by Stephen Dorf attack. Equal opportunities for women are great, but Rebel armed with a bazooka doesn't really convince. Nor does the film in general. Rebel is one of the bridesmaids for her long-time best friend Betsy (Anna Camp). The Maid of Honour in fact, until she's demoted. That's because, now get this, she's secretly a secret agent and wanders away at one point to look for a lost device. She gets a chance to redeem herself by fighting off the attackers. Their mission is quite muddled, something about a safe that holds a dossier that may prove that the father of one of the guests had been wrongly convicted of something. Why attack right now? To look good. The wedding is being held at a lavish estate in Georgia and that brings lush visuals, but only that. The humour is weak, the story is only as expected. It emulates, or is that spoofs, the Die Hard films, even with its title, and an actor who was in one of those movies. Simon West directed. Years ago he made one of my favorite action flicks, Con Air. This is a comedown for him. (In theaters) 2 out of 5
National Observer
20 hours ago
- Business
- National Observer
Parliament is set to rise today, with MPs to vote on controversial major projects bill
Prime Minister Mark Carney 's major projects and internal trade bill will be voted on today before the House of Commons rises until September. A closure motion the government passed to limit debate says the House won't adjourn today until debate wraps up on Bill C-5 and it clears the chamber. The Liberal government's controversial legislation, which would let cabinet quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects like mines, ports and pipelines, sailed through committee in the early hours of Thursday with support from the Conservatives. Indigenous and environmental groups and some opposition MPs and senators have criticized the government for rushing a bill through Parliament that gives cabinet such sweeping powers. The legislation was amended Thursday to withdraw the power it gave cabinet to sidestep the Indian Act after weeks of criticism from First Nations leaders. As Canada continues to grapple with US tariffs, Carney on Thursday called C-5 called the "core" of Canada's domestic economic response. A Senate programming motion has the upper chamber wrapping up its examination of Bill C-5 by June 27. With files from Kyle Duggan and Alessia Passafiume
