Gigantic forest fires are burning out of control in northwestern Ontario, leading to evacuations in Sandy Lake First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation, and Keewaywin. Meanwhile, southern Canadian governments are criticized for enacting legislation (Ontario's Bill 5 and federal Bill C-5) that threatens to worsen climate change, damage ecosystems, and push animals to extinction, without adequate First Nations consultation. Indigenous leaders express frustration over being forced to consult on these bills while their communities face fire threats.
Opinion: As northern Canada burns, southern Canada makes climate change worse
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Gigantic forest fires are burning out of control in northwestern Ontario, leading to evacuations in Sandy Lake First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation, and Keewaywin. Meanwhile, southern Canadian governments are criticized for enacting legislation (Ontario's Bill 5 and federal Bill C-5) that threatens to worsen climate change, damage ecosystems, and push animals to extinction, without adequate First Nations consultation. Indigenous leaders express frustration over being forced to consult on these bills while their communities face fire threats.
Trending- 1 2020: Sir John A. Macdonald statue defaced.
- 2 June 4: Ontario's Bill 5 rushed through provincial legislature.
- 3 Last week: Haze from forest fires hung over Toronto.
- 4 Tuesday: North Spirit Lake First Nation evacuated due to forest fire.
- 5 Wednesday: Keewaywin residents fled to safety; Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler spoke.
- 6 June 16: Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak convening an emergency national meeting online.
- Worsening climate change
- Damage to pristine ecosystems
- Animal extinction
- Breach of First Nations constitutional and treaty rights
- Potential for "action on the land" (protests/blockades).
What: Forest fires burning in northern Ontario and the impact of new federal and provincial legislation (Bill 5 and Bill C-5) on climate change and Indigenous rights.
When: Early June (current fires); Tuesday (North Spirit Lake First Nation evacuated); Wednesday (Keewaywin evacuated, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler spoke); June 4 (Ontario's Bill 5 rushed through); 2020 (Sir John A. Macdonald statue defaced).
Where: Sandy Lake First Nation, northwestern Ontario; North Spirit Lake First Nation; Keewaywin; Toronto, Ontario; Queen's Park, Ontario; Ottawa, Canada; Attawapiskat Lake; Attawapiskat River; Neskantaga.
Why: Forest fires are exacerbated by climate change, and new legislation is seen as undermining environmental protections and First Nations' constitutional and treaty rights, prioritizing economic projects over environmental and Indigenous concerns.
How: Ontario's Bill 5 creates "special economic zones" suspending environmental laws, and federal Bill C-5 aims to fast-track "national interest" projects like pipelines and nuclear facilities, both with insufficient First Nations consultation.