Premiers pledged a new era of economic partnership as they emerged from a closed-door meeting with Indigenous leaders Monday, vowing to move forward on major projects only with buy-in from First Nations.
First Nations leaders said they are split on whether to support resource development in their communities, and called for a first ministers meeting with premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss plans to fast-track major infrastructure projects.
The meeting between Canada’s 13 premiers and representatives from national Indigenous organizations and local chiefs took place at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka, Ont., the day before Mr. Carney is set to meet with the premiers to update them on Canada’s trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who is host of the summer gathering as chair of the Council of the Federation, said the message he received in Monday’s meeting is that Indigenous leaders want to move quickly on projects to benefit their communities.
“You can’t move forward without their collaboration and their buy-in,” Mr. Ford told reporters after the meeting, adding he needs a “green light” before proceeding.
“I can’t do something if they don’t want to do it. But there’s enough people out there, enough First Nations communities, that are saying, ‘Let’s go.’”
Canada's premiers pledged economic reconciliation with Indigenous people through major infrastructure and resource projects at their semi-annual meeting in Huntsville, Ont., though several First Nation leaders said they were disappointed with the discussion.
The Canadian Press
Mr. Ford’s government has faced backlash from Indigenous leaders for a law that seeks to fast-track mining projects and create “special economic zones” that would suspend any provincial law.
The Ontario Premier is set to play host to the other provincial leaders and Mr. Carney at his nearby cottage Monday night for dinner. “There’s going to be a great conversation around the dinner table tonight, and everyone kind of lets their hair down,” he said.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said after Monday’s meeting that his province is committed to ensuring success and prosperity across the country. “We know if we want to get projects done quickly, the projects have to have strong Indigenous partnerships,” he said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to the media during the meeting of Canada’s premiers and representatives from national Indigenous organizations and local chiefs at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ont., on Monday.Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
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Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak called the meeting productive but said it’s time for First Nations to be included at other official meetings with the premiers and Prime Minister.
She added that First Nations are divided on whether they want development in their communities.
“There’s different projects all over the country that First Nations want to see move forward. Others are not sure yet,” she said.
“We’re united in that we want prosperity, but not at the expense of our rights.”
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige, who also attended the meeting, called it a “listening exercise” and said First Nations should not be excluded from future talks.
She said she reiterated that First Nations are not there “to block roads, but to build bridges.”
“Gone are the days of railroading us, putting us into corners and leaving our voices silent,” she said.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said he was disheartened by the meeting and that premiers didn’t answer questions about what would happen if a community said no to a project.
“I call this like a side-table meeting. Tomorrow is the main meeting, and again First Nation leadership are excluded from that, which is a huge concern because they’re going to be talking about our lands, our resources and our rights, and we won’t be there,” he said.
The talks between premiers and Indigenous leaders build on conversations Mr. Carney had with First Nations last week as the Liberal government begins the implementation of the One Canadian Economy Act, known as Bill C-5. Part of the law gives the federal government power to fast-track major projects, and Indigenous groups have raised concerns that their rights will be ignored in that process.
Mr. Carney has framed the legislation as a crucial part of growing the Canadian economy at a time when the United States can no longer be counted on as a reliable partner.
On Monday, Mr. Ford also signed a memorandum of understanding with B.C. and the three territories to boost internal trade and labour mobility with his province. Ontario has now signed agreements with 10 provinces and territories, part of a push to strengthen domestic trade in the face of Mr. Trump’s tariffs.
Canada and the U.S. are currently negotiating a new trade and security pact, talks taking place under a threat from Mr. Trump to impose 35-per-cent tariffs on certain Canadian goods on Aug. 1.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Monday that last week, Mr. Carney’s chief of staff, Marc-André Blanchard, and others were in Washington for talks, and this week, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister for Canada-U.S. Relations, will travel to the U.S. capital for negotiations.
Heading into the premiers’ meeting on Monday, Quebec Premier François Legault said that deal needs to provide certainty to business.
“Of course the ideal situation would be no tariffs,” Mr. Legault told reporters.
“If there are some, we need to have assurances that will keep this agreement for three, five years. We need to have an economy where companies know what’s happening in six months and 12 months from now.”
The current tariff dispute applies to goods not already covered by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free-trade agreement. That deal is up for renegotiation next year.
Earlier Monday, four U.S. senators visiting Mr. Carney in Ottawa said they believe it should remain the framework for the economic relationship. The senators – each wearing beaded Canada-U.S. friendship bracelets – also stressed the need to rebuild trust between the two countries.
Maggie Hassan, a Democratic senator for New Hampshire, said it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Canadians are turning their backs on the U.S.
“We hope you will come back,” Ms. Hassan said.