First Nations leaders in Manitoba are expressing concern over the province's recent push to create new energy, trade, and resource extraction projects in the north, emphasizing that such developments must respect and protect treaty rights and require their consent. Premier Wab Kinew pitched five major projects, including the 'One Canada Trade Corridor' via the Port of Churchill, to Prime Minister Mark Carney. Grand Chief Garrison Settee insists that 'nothing will happen unless the First Nations... say it will.' The article also discusses Ontario's controversial Bill 5, which aims to fast-track resource development by exempting projects from laws, raising concerns about treaty rights and environmental protections, and the broader federal push for infrastructure projects.
Canada's rush for new resource projects can't happen without First Nations' support: grand chief
CanadaKuugjuaq (Churchill)ManitobaSouthern Chiefs' OrganizationFirst Nations peopleEnvironmentWildfiresLegislation
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️First Nations leaders in Manitoba are expressing concern over the province's recent push to create new energy, trade, and resource extraction projects in the north, emphasizing that such developments must respect and protect treaty rights and require their consent. Premier Wab Kinew pitched five major projects, including the 'One Canada Trade Corridor' via the Port of Churchill, to Prime Minister Mark Carney. Grand Chief Garrison Settee insists that 'nothing will happen unless the First Nations... say it will.' The article also discusses Ontario's controversial Bill 5, which aims to fast-track resource development by exempting projects from laws, raising concerns about treaty rights and environmental protections, and the broader federal push for infrastructure projects.
Trending- 1 1929: Hudson Bay Railway opened.
- 2 1995: Hudson Bay Railway privatized after federal government sold Canadian National Railway.
- 3 2017: Hudson Bay Railway experienced an 18-month shutdown due to severe flooding.
- 4 Last January (2025): President Donald Trump returned to office.
- 5 Last April (2025): Liberals won a minority government; Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew sent a letter to PM Mark Carney pitching five major resource projects.
- 6 Last year (2024): Federal and provincial governments announced $30 million each to improve the railway and redevelop the Port of Churchill.
- 7 Last week (June 9-15, 2025): Ontario's Bill 5, the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, was passed.
- 8 Friday (June 13, 2025): Grand Chief Garrison Settee held a news conference; Mihskakwan James Harper, Jerry Daniels, and Lisa Currier made statements.
- 9 Monday (June 16, 2025): The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) hosted a virtual forum for chiefs across the country to discuss Ontario legislation and broader implications.
- Potential for new resource development projects in northern Manitoba
- Increased trade and economic diversification
- Risks of environmental damage (spills, leaks) to surrounding lands and waters
- Financial losses for First Nations if fossil fuel assets become stranded
- Ongoing tension and potential protests regarding economic development versus Indigenous rights and environmental protection
What: First Nations leaders in Manitoba are concerned about and demanding consent for new energy, trade, and resource extraction projects proposed by the provincial government, particularly the 'One Canada Trade Corridor' through the Port of Churchill. This is in the context of broader federal and provincial pushes for resource development, including Ontario's controversial Bill 5.
When: Published June 16, 2025; Premier Kinew sent letter shortly after Liberals won minority government last April (2025); President Trump returned to office last January (2025); Bill 5 passed last week; AFN forum on Monday (June 16, 2025); Settee's news conference Friday (June 13, 2025); Harper's statement Friday (June 13, 2025); Daniels' statement Friday (June 13, 2025); Currier's statement Friday (June 13, 2025).
Where: Manitoba (northern Manitoba, Port of Churchill), Ontario, United States (trade tensions), Hudson Bay, Prairies, Arctic, Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America.
Why: Manitoba Premier Kinew seeks to fast-track projects for critical minerals and fossil fuel exports to diversify trade and ease tensions with the U.S. First Nations leaders are concerned about impacts on treaty rights, environmental protections, and potential 'stranded assets' from fossil fuel investments, especially given climate change and recent wildfires.
How: Premier Kinew pitched projects to Prime Minister Carney. First Nations leaders are asserting their inherent rights and demanding 'true nation-to-nation partnership' and consent. Ontario passed Bill 5 to create special economic zones with exemptions. The AFN is holding a forum to discuss implications.