Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he’s willing to support First Nations if they help with mine development, but he also says they can’t keep asking the government for more money.
Ford will meet Thursday with many chiefs from the Anishinabek Nation, which represents 39 First Nations across Ontario.
Many Indigenous leaders are upset about Bill 5, a new law that lets the government ignore certain rules to fast-track big projects like mines. The first area this would affect is the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario.
First Nations say they want to be involved in economic growth but are angry that the government passed the law without talking to them first.
Ford says the government will respect treaty rights and plans to hold more meetings with First Nations this summer.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Ford said, “This is like handing an opportunity on a silver platter to First Nations that, by the way, I have treated like gold.”
He mentioned that Ontario has a $3 billion program to help Indigenous communities invest in large projects and $70 million for training Indigenous workers.
“When I took office, I told Minister Rickford to treat First Nations well and give them what they need,” Ford said. “But at some point, you can’t just keep asking for help—you need to support yourselves.”
He also said it doesn’t make sense for First Nations to reject mining projects while still asking for funding: “If you have gold, nickel, and other valuable minerals and say, ‘No, I don’t want to develop them, but give me money,’ — that’s not going to work.”
Sol Mamakwa, the only Indigenous member of Ontario’s legislature, said Ford’s comments were offensive and racist. He said the Premier doesn’t understand the treaty relationship between Ontario and First Nations and called for Bill 5 to be repealed.
“He is dividing people and taking us backwards,” Mamakwa said. “This Premier won’t unite people or respect our rights.”
Ford’s office later said he’s looking forward to meeting with Indigenous leaders and wants to support their self-determination and economic success.
